Rudy Would Outdo W on Power Grab

Rudy Giuliani’s record in New York shows a leadership philosophy built on overlooking rules, says Washington Monthly’s Rachel Morris. Should the GOP frontrunner end up in the Oval Office, he would seize even more executive power than his assertive predecessor, Morris predicts.

In his first term, Hizzoner cleaned up the city, cut crime and booted those annoying squeegee men. But he also kicked out routine auditors, insulated himself with yes-men and lost 35 First Amendment cases. Candidate Giuliani already has some executive power hawks on his team, and he’s signing less subtly than George Bush that he’ll do as he pleases if elected, Morris says. On the hot-button issue of interrogations, for example: The US should use "any method they can think of." (More Rudy Giuliani stories.)