Is Rudy Giuliani's personal life and previous marriages fair game in his bid to become President of the U.S.

Question

Evangelical leader says Giuliani's divorce a problem
POSTED: 8:02 a.m. EST, March 7, 2007

Story Highlights• Southern Baptist leader says evangelicals have major doubts about Rudy Giuliani
• Richard Land cites GOP presidential hopeful's bitter divorce from second wife
• Land says Giuliani 'publicly humiliated' former wife, children
• Giuliani has been married three times; first marriage was annulled

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- A Southern Baptist leader said Tuesday that evangelical voters might tolerate a divorced presidential candidate, but they have deep doubts about GOP hopeful Rudy Giuliani, who has been married three times.

Richard Land, head of public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention, told The Associated Press that evangelicals believe the former New York City mayor showed a lack of character during his divorce from his second wife, television personality Donna Hanover.

"I mean, this is divorce on steroids," Land said. "To publicly humiliate your wife in that way, and your children. That's rough. I think that's going to be an awfully hard sell, even if he weren't pro-choice and pro-gun control."

Giuliani married his longtime companion, Judith Nathan, in 2003. They had dated publicly while Giuliani was married to Hanover. His first marriage ended in an annulment.

Answer 1

If that is what is important to you, then I guess yes.

Answer 2

Giuliani did get married three times. The Christian evangelicals are going to complain regardless of who runs for office. Christian evangelicals are looking for that spotless lamb. They will have to keep looking. Let Giuliani run for President. He will probably become President anyway. Democrats and Republicans both seem to like him. Then, if he does have an affair while he is in the Oval Office, he deserves to be hated just as much as Bill Clinton.

Answer 3

Does it really matter? It will be used whether it is fair game or not. This is nature of politics. It would be nice if we could rise above such base concerns and just look for the best person for the job based on their platform, but alas this is just not the society that we live in. Need evidence of this just examine the popularity of the gossip industry in this country. People are more interested in dysfunctional little Brittany Spears than the actual issues in the country which effect our lives every day.

Answer 4

I think it is. I want to know all the dirt on all the contenders to help aide my decision. It's a shame that others may get hurt in the process but isn't it an indicator of (in this case) his stability, his steadfastness or his commitment to his vows he promised to each of those woman?

Although we may not know the exact details of each divorce, there are 2 points to think about

1) If he wanted the divorce(s)

-Did he rush into something he couldn't handle and like some women who use abortion as a form of birth control is using this option so he doesn't have to own up to his own responsiblities.
-Couldn't he stick it through for the sake of the children?

I wouldn't want him as head of our nations household in that case, would you? He couldn't/wouldn't afford the child support.

2) If she wanted the divorce

-Was he a good provider? Monitarally or Emotionally
-Did he abuse her or the kids? Physicly or Emotionally
-Was he true to the marriage in every sense including sexually?

Everyone of those questions would provide insight to his integrity and compassion not to mention his ethics as a man and a leader, don't you think?

Answer 5

The sad truth is that ANYTHING a person running for offices does is fair game. Actions such as this can give you a pretty good clue as to what the person is really like, and allows you to see past the spin-doctoring that goes on with ALL political campaigns.

And I say this because it's the truth, not because I don't like Rudy. I think right now he's the best thing the Republicans have going, and I'll vote for him if he wins the nomination.

Answer 6

Just because he was mayor during 9/11, why does that make him a president? I don't get it. Everyone was devastated when 9/11 happened .. Giuliani did what any mayor would do.. I hear people say, "oh i want him to be our president, because of how he handled 9/11!" I don't get it. That would no qualify him for the President of the United States. Oh i forgot if the cheerleader made it anyone can.

Answer 7

YES, and as a New Yorker, I hope this hypocritcal asshole will never get elected. 9/11 saved his political career and helped him to become a millionaire.

You think his former Police Chief Kerik has dirty dealings, I can't wait to see what kind of dirt they will dig up on old Rudy.
And I hope this kills his speech making career, I can't believe anyone will pay that much money to listen to this pompous ***.

Answer 8

Your personal life is fair game in politics. We've elected divorced presidents before. It will be up to Giuliani to convince voters to look away from his marriage failures, and focus on stuff that matters.

Answer 9

I personally don't think a man of his reputation is a good candidate for President.
If he can't handle his personal life, how can he handle the country's affairs.
He would not make a very good role model in office.

Answer 10

It is questionable whether they are truly fair game or not, but that will not stop people and pundits and the press from using them to attack Giuliani.

Answer 11

While I don't think candidate's personal lives should weigh in on our decisions as much as they do, it's just human nature. And if the personal lives of other candidates are fair game, his certainly should be.

PS. Did you know he was married to his cousin?? I just read that yesterday and was quite shocked.