RUDY CAN'T FAIL: A Brief History of Giuliani - His Life, His Presidency, His Legacy
By Ollie Franklin
Published March 11, 2068
One cannot begin to discuss one of America's most memorable (and most controversial) Presidents without noting his history and legacy in American politics before and after his presidency. Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani was born on May 28, 1944 and served in various capacities in his lifetime, from his tenure as Mayor of New York City (1990-2000), United States Senator from New York (2000-2012), and as the eldest person ever elected President of the United States from 2016 to 2023, when he died in office of a stroke.
The feisty liberal Democrat made his mark in politics working as a US Attorney for New York during the Humphrey administration (1969-1977) before moving to Washington and working for President Jackson's Justice Department (1981-1989) and then returning to New York to defeat incumbent Democrat Ed Koch and his Republican opponent in that year's Mayoral election.
As Mayor, Giuliani emphasized public transit and had an amiable relationship with the city's unions. He upset law enforcement frequently by favoring "harm reduction" policies, including a decriminalization of Cannabis in New York City that proved controversial even with fellow Democrats. Called the "First Black Mayor of NYC" by supporters, Giuliani's mayoralty marked a positive move in race relations in the city towards a more integrated and harmonious city.
When Senator Al Sharpton announced that he would not be a candidate for re-election in 2000, Giuliani was the obvious choice. Crushing his Republican opponent in a landslide, Giuliani was elected to the United States Senate, where he made a name for himself as an opponent of the continuation of "Cold War" policies with regard to civil liberties. An expert on defense policy and counterterrorism, Giuliani worked with the United Nations as Senator to promote aid abroad to reduce terrorism.
Considered for the Secretary of State post by President Gephardt, Giuliani ultimately turned it down to focus on his own presidential ambitions in 2008. He did, nevertheless, act as an ambassador to the Middle East owing to his strong ties in the region and respect of and for the Muslim world.
Giuliani was unsuccessful in the 2008 Democratic primaries, losing out to veteran Senator John Kerry. Republican President Hillary Rodham sparred with Giuliani over a number of issues from 2009 to 2017. RFK Jr's loss to Hillary Rodham in 2012 set up the field for Giuliani in 2016, who won the nomination easily over Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey.
Giuliani and his running-mate, Johnny DuPree, took up office Jan. 20, 2016.
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