Calling President George W. Bush the greatest American leader of the 20th century, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said we must thank God that Bush is our president. Addressing the Republican National Convention, Giuliani said President Bush stood like a tower of strength following the September 11th terrorist attacks.
The convention was held under strict security and in the shadow of massive anti-Bush protests. At least 600 protestors were arrested as hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets of Manhattan, in a massive show of strength against the President’s policies. Government circles put the number of protesters at 100,000 to 150,000, while organizers and independent sources estimated the number between 400,000 and half a million.
The convention’s dominant themes were nationalism, the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks, the war on terrorism and religion. Religious references were prominent in many of the speakers’ speeches, from Giuliani to the First Lady Laura Bush, who quoted the Bible and spoke of peace and reconciliation.
But the Republican leaders continuously attacked and condemned Islamic extremists. While talking about human rights and individual freedoms, they gave forceful arguments in support of the bombing of Iraq and Afghanistan. Although the convention presented the GOP as a party of compassionate people, it highlighted Sept. 11th. Prominent speakers included Vice President Dick Cheney, Rudy Giuliani, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York Governor George Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Bill First and Senator McCain besides President Bush’s twin daughters.
In his speech, Giuliani said terrorism did not start on September 11, 2001. Rather it started at the Munich Olympics in 1972, when Palestinians attacked Israeli athletes. He said deals were struck with the terrorists and they were set free in Europe. According to Giuliani, acts of terrorism are acclaimed at the international level and questioned why Yasser Arafat, who supports terrorism in the Middle East, was given the Nobel Peace Prize.
Pointing to Democratic candidate John Kerry, Giuliani stated that Kerry’s stand on the war against terrorism is unclear, making different statements before Arab Americans and Israeli Americans.
Giuliani’s speech has created considerable concern amongst American Muslims, referring to Muslims – sometimes obliquely, other times overtly – as terrorists. His message was clear. While he described Judaism and Christianity as religions of peace, he did not express the same sentiments about Islam and Muslims. It is widely believed that Giuliani remains a strong supporter of the Jewish community.
With his speech, Giuliani will surely drive the majority of Muslim voters away from the Republican Party.
