Rudy's Won the Pundit Primary

The conservative rush to back Giuliani isn't good for the cause, says National Review
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 18, 2007 11:53 AM CST
Rudy's Won the Pundit Primary
Republican Presidential hopeful, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, addresses the Federalist Society, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, at the 2007 National Lawyers Convention in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)

Conservative pundits have piled on to the Rudy Giuliani bandwagon in greater numbers  and with more naked boosterism than in previous primary races, writes the National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru—who happens to prefer McCain. Why all the Rudy love—and willingness to forgive his weaknesses? Many right-wing journos live in New York and “are grateful to him for saving the city,” says Ponnuru.

The number and diversity of conservative media outlets is a factor in encouraging columnists to take sides early, he notes; Rupert Murdoch has written 11 pro-Rudy columns this year. But it's distorting coverage, he argues. Hizzoner can't win in New Hampshire? State doesn't count. Pro-life stance a problem? The alternative is electing Hillary. Ponnuru warns that all of this pundit-love could backfire, as it did for McCain in 2000. (More Rudy Giuliani stories.)

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