NY Observer > Jason Horowitz

Rudy on Gays in the Military: Not Now

Observer Staff — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 11:30:00 -0400

Despite all the talk among presidential candidates and United States generals, Rudy Giuliani doesn't think it's an appropriate time to be debating "don't ask, don't tell."

Here's the emailed response to a question I put to his campaign yesterday:

"We're at war and now isn't the time to question our military's admissions policy."

The statement is part of a pattern for Giuliani, who has a strong record on gay rights issues, but is simultaneously trying to avoid a) overt flip-flops on his liberal social positions and b) statements that might alienate his party's conservative base.

Giuliani's rivals both support current military policy.

On Thursday, Sen. John McCain's said at a New York fund-raiser that, after conferring with military leaders, he felt the policy was working.

"I think it's logical to leave this issue alone," he said.

Mitt Romney's spokesman, Kevin Madden, said, "Gov. Romney supports 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' He agrees with the president's decision to maintain the policy."

It's worth noting that Giuliani has been finessing this issue for years.

Back in December of 1999, when Hillary Clinton first voiced criticisms of the "don't ask" compromise forged by her husband, Giuliani -- who was gearing up to run against her at the time -- avoided giving a clear answer on the issue.

"I'm going to take a look at it," he said. --Jason Horowitz

Rudy and Conservatives

Observer Staff — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:56:17 -0500

Rudy Giuliani will speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference in D.C. on March 2, which should make for some YouTube moments.

Jason Horowitz looked at how some conservatives are unconvinced with Rudy's red state credentials. And Maggie Haberman of the Post got her hands on Rudy's writing from his days as an outspoken liberal college student. And for most of his campaign so far, Rudy has been seeking only friendly audiences.

So get your tickets now. -- Azi Paybarah

In Today's Observer

Observer Staff — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:00:00 -0500

Jason Horowitz writes about the reaction among conservative leaders to the pro-Second Amendment, strict constructionist, marriage-between-a-man-and-woman version of Rudy Giuliani. Bob Barr says, "It's a sleight of hand."

Niall Stanage interviews former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix about the Bush administration's increasingly hard line with Iran. Dark stuff.

Albert Gore III tells Spencer Morgan that as far as he knows, his dad is thinking about winning an Oscar -- and that's all.

Azi Paybarah talks to an Eliot Spitzer donor who thinks that the governor's reforms could set him up to be President.

Azi also reports from a Barack Obama meet-up, where some female supporters explain why they chose the Senator from Illinois over the Senator from New York.

Steve Kornacki thinks Hillary Clinton could be the next Ed Muskie.

Joe Conason thinks the New York Times needs to reckon with its history on the Clintons and Whitewater.

Harry Siegel still doesn't quite know what to make of Ground Zero.

Nick Von Hoffman says that the Scooter Libby trial is a test for the press.

And there's lots of good stuff here.

-- Josh Benson

The Biden Tapes

Observer Staff — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:54:05 -0500

So there's been a lot of interest in Jason Horowitz's piece on Joe Biden in this week's Observer, and we've gotten a number of requests from readers who want to listen to the interview.

As is often the case when Biden speaks his mind, there's no shortage of material. In the story, we led with the fact that he savaged the Iraq plans of fellow Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, and that he did so in unusually personal terms.

We also noted that Biden chose to describe Obama using adjectives like "articulate" and "nice-looking," to which a spokesman for Obama responded by saying that Biden's words "speak for themselves."

That was the part that Drudge picked up and ran with. There's now a debate going on at Talking Points Memo about whether the addition of a comma before the word "who" in this sentence -- "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy" - would have affected its meaning.

Anyway, listen for yourself.

Here's Joe Biden on Hillary, Obama and Edwards.

-- Josh Benson

In Today's Observer

Observer Staff — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:15:00 -0500

Jason Horowitz has an interview with Joe Biden that's going to shift the debate among Democrats over America's options in Iraq. Biden -- one of the party's most prominent voices on foreign policy -- tells Horowitz that Hillary Clinton's plan would be a disaster, that Barack Obama hasn't offered anything of substance and that John Edwards doesn't know what he's talking about at all.

Biden, who's running for president, also wonders why Hillary Clinton isn't more popular.

Michael Calderone reports on Dean Baquet's return to the Times.

Matt Schuerman writes about an apostle of congestion pricing.

Steve Kornacki explains why Chuck Hagel is the John McCain.

And Joe Conason thinks the Bush administration is heading for disaster with its Iran policy.

-- Josh Benson

In Today's Observer

Observer Staff — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:24:36 -0500

Jason Horowitz reports on Hillary Clinton's tour of Iraq and Afghanistan and catches up with Barack Obama on the day of his announcement.

Steve Kornacki says that there's nothing gimmicky about Obama's candidacy.

Joe Conason writes that the administration's broad strategy for the Iraq region is no strategy at all.

And Richard Brookhiser thinks that the bad guys in Iraq will have a field day if the American military stops pressing the fight.

-- Josh Benson

In Today's Observer

Observer Staff — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:16:43 -0500

Jason Horowitz writes about the efforts of Washington Democrats to assert themselves on Iraq without handing the Republicans a political gift. As Charlie Rangel put it:

"The President will say we're in business with Osama bin Laden. Anytime, politically, you have to explain what you are saying, you have a problem. And so if I am there saying, 'Cut the funds for Iraq and the war in Iraq,' then someone is going to say, 'You are taking away rifles.'"

Joe Conason thinks the Democrats ought to cut funding for the war anyway.

Steve Kornacki explains the political perils of the McCain Doctrine.

And John Koblin writes, from amid the steaming wreckage in Foxborough, about the feel-good season of the New York Jets. -- Josh Benson

In Today's Observer -- Bonus Edition

Observer Staff — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 03:45:00 -0500

Jason Horowitz has a story about forgotten presidential candidate John Edwards. The former vice presidential candidate told Horowitz that he is unsurprised at being overshadowed by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, but also said that the only question the national press should be asking is, "How are you doing in Iowa and New Hampshire?"

Steve Kornacki writes about the real test of Rudy Giuliani's seriousness as a presidential candidate (hint: it's not Michael DuHaime) and examines the political upside to John McCain's advocacy of a increase of troop levels in Iraq. Lizzy Ratner spends some time with Bill Samuels - son of Howard - who is sinking the family fortune into the creation of a New Tammany.

Joe Conason thinks that Newt Gingrich's ideas on combating terrorism are a little crazy.

Tom Scocca says that the Knicks aren't looking for respect, but pity.

And finally, an announcement: This week's Observer is a "double issue," which means, most significantly, that the staff is taking a week off. (Except for Azi, who is constitutionally incapable of not working.) We're therefore turning the Politicker for the next few days over to Andrew Rice, distinguished Observer alumnus, Uganda expert and Philadelphia sports fan. Treat him just as you'd treat us. Or, on second thought, be nice to him. Happy dark week! -- Josh Benson

In the Observer

Observer Staff — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:37:01 -0500

Jason Horowitz reports on the presidential dreams of Chris Dodd.

Lizzy Ratner and Azi report on the Berger Commission's recommendations for closing and merging New York hospitals and why they are - and aren't - a big deal.

Matthew Schuerman writes about the end of cheap rentals on the Far East Side of Manhattan.

Steve Kornacki explains why the negative effect of Nancy Pelosi's leadership machinations on the Democrats' external public relations is the least of her concerns.

Joe Conason says that the president's evolving language on Iraq doesn't reflect any significant change in his thinking. -- Josh Benson

The Best Party

Observer Staff — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 06:25:42 -0500

The respectable party last night was at the Sheraton.

But the truly great victory celebration was in Harlem, where Charlie Rangel and a few close friends celebrated his ascension to the House Ways and Means chairmanship.

It turned out to be a seven-hour affair in a bar and lounge across the street from his offices in the Adam Clayton Powell building on 125th street. Rangel wore a typically well-tailored suit, with a gold Congressional clip on his burgundy tie and a white button on his lapel that said "Bush" with a black line through it.

"You have no idea what it is like to be held hostage by the Republicans in the House," he said. "The Republicans didn't understand what was going on. But the people got it!"

Between camera flashes and throaty cheers, Rangel took a weak stab at modesty.

"It's the most exciting thing to happen tonight," he said. "My chairmanship is like a grain of sand on a vast beach compared to the intelligence of all the voters." read more »