by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright December 28, 2001
All Rights Reserved.

cting like Time Magazine's "Person of the Year," New York mayor Rudolf W. Giuliani bid a nostalgic farewell at historic St. Paul's Chapel, where George Washington routinely worshiped after his inauguration in 1789. Showing the charisma that won the hearts of New Yorkers—and indeed the nation—Giuliani displayed why he's enjoying unparalleled popularity. "My strength and energy comes entirely from the city of New York," Giuliani told throngs of melancholy supporters, crediting "the people" for his remarkable metamorphosis from hotheaded city boss to beloved leader. "You have that strength and you've displayed it," said the mayor, wisely giving thanks for his remarkable achievements. Since 9/11, Giuliani stepped into the role of New York's patriarch, nurturing the open wounds of a city still reeling from Bin Laden's despicable acts. From the soot and ashes, Giuliani emerged as the city's guiding light, lifting shaken New Yorkers from their shock and despair. At midnight New Year's Eve, Giuliani passes the torch to billionaire media mogul Michael Bloomberg.

      For many New Yorkers, Giuliani's departure is met with mixed emotions—sad to loose their undaunted leader, but still roiled over his tumultuous reign over America's grandest city. By all accounts, Giuliani leaves New York better off, with improved infrastructure, thriving businesses, safer streets and renewed pride. But many New Yorkers remember Giuliani locking horns over NYPD salaries, and his distracting marriage to ex-TV anchor Donna Hanover. "The question we're going to ask about is whether the last three months, when he acted so magnificently, can cancel out the last 7 1/2 years, when he bullied so many people," said former N.Y. mayor Ed Koch, a longtime Giuliani critic. For Giuliani, leaving the limelight isn't easy. "There's one big change that's taken place . . . It's the change in the spirit of the city, the city used to be the rotting apple, that 60%, 70%, 80% of the people wanted to leave and nobody wanted to come to," said Giuliani, crediting himself with New York's renaissance. It just happened that his term paralleled the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, ending unceremoniously in March 2000 when the Nasdaq hit the skids.

      When the World Trade Center Twin Towers toppled on Sept. 11, it was Giuliani who offered a sturdy set of shoulders. New Yorkers won't forget his heroism—a generous outpouring of positive energy, when despair set in. His daily press briefings injected dazed New Yorkers with buoyancy and abundant goodwill. Giuliani's own optimism never wavered, despite occasionally wearing emotions on his sleeves, especially after attending an unending stream of memorials. Changing hats and sweatshirts, Giuliani easily transitioned into his role as New York's crisis manager. Whether donning a hardhat at Ground Zero or black ribbon at funerals, he displayed dignity and class. "I haven't changed that much since Sept. 11," said Giuliani at a recent press conference. "I've always believed that that you have to tell people exactly what you're thinking. If they like it, fine. If they don't, that's also OK. I don't believe in spinning things to the point where I can't be true to myself." But examining Giuliani more carefully, it's clear that he parked his old acerbic self at the door.

      Riding a spectacular wave of popularity, 57-year-old Giuliani's political fortunes raise intriguing possibilities, though key political positions are already loaded with heavy hitters. While New York's senior Sen. Charles E. Schumer comes up for reelection in 2004, he also enjoys strong approval ratings. New York's junior Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is only one year into a 6-year term. Popular Republican Gov. George Pataki shows no signs of early retirement. While he faces reelection next year, it's unlikely that Giuliani would oppose him. Though Giuliani's already landed a $2 million book deal from Talk Miramax Books and plans to launch a high-power consulting firm, it's hard to imagine him out of politics. Looking backward at mayor again in 4 years also isn't likely. Insiders believe that he's being eyed for a key spot in the Bush White House—perhaps CIA director, should George Tenet retire. Whether he's delivering $100,000 speeches or hobnobbing at Katz's Deli with socialite Judith Nathan, supermarket tabloids won't miss a beat.

      Madison Avenue couldn't manufacture better publicity for the flamboyant New York mayor. Since 9/11, Giuliani seized an unprecedented opportunity for national attention—but deservedly so. Rarely conceited, Giuliani showed the highest regard for victims and their surviving families. Calling for a "soaring and beautiful memorial," he's now advocating that Ground Zero be turned into the World's grandest monument to venerate over 3,000 vaporized Americans. "This place has to be sanctified," said Giuliani, opposing reconstruction of the magnificent Twin Towers on the coveted 16-acre lower Manhattan site. "It has to become a place, when anybody comes, that they immediately feel the power, strength, and emotion of what it means to become an American . . . This is too important a place." Going a little overboard, Giuliani misses the healing benefits of rebuilding—though his heart's in the right place. Whether he gets his wish is anyone's guess. For now, Giuliani beams a large halo, with most Americans listening attentively. When the clock strikes twelve on New Year's Eve, Michael Bloomberg will have a tough act to follow.

      Responding to the horrific events of Sept. 11, Rudy Giuliani filled a big set of shoes, making him an enduring American hero. When terrorists struck, Giuilani rose to the occasion, showed a steady hand, and earned the admiration of anyone watching him in action. Few people could lead with his sensitivity and contagious optimism. Only President George W. Bush showed more outrage, modeling courage and healthy patriotism to shell shocked Americans. "What Rudy is enjoying right now is a highly unusual situation in our political history," said historian and presidential scholar Robert Dallek. "There's a surge boosting him, a national outpouring of affection. Nobody has experienced this to such a degree." Repaid for his hard work, Giuliani's now reaping the rewards of placing people in front of selfish ambitions. He's finding out there's no better formula for success than placing people first. Where Giuliani finds his next political fortune is anyone's guess. As long as he preserves his magnetic energy and lavish optimism, there's no holding him back.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He's director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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