2008 Hopefuls

(NYTimes.com) Nov. 3, 2007We have a real treat for you this morning: the latest in our “Long Run” series about the presidential candidates is a Michael Powell composition about then-Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and his relationship with Bernard B. Kerik. The former police commissioner currently faces several felony charges, and Mr. Giuliani has faced questions about what he knew about Mr. Kerik and when he knew it. Here’s the crux of the issue:

The additional evidence raises questions not only about the precision of Mr. Giuliani’s recollection, but also about how a man who proclaims his ability to pick leaders came to overlook a jumble of disturbing information about Mr. Kerik, even as he pushed him for two crucial government positions.

“Rudy can fall for people big time, and sometimes qualifications are secondary to loyalty,” said Fran Reiter, a former Giuliani deputy mayor who now supports Hillary Clinton.

Filed under: Democrats, Republicans, Giuliani, Clinton