September 24, 2001

From the Associated Press:

Giuliani: No Time to Consider Future
By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS
Associated Press Writer

September 24, 2001, 11:59 AM EDT

NEW YORK -- Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who has received widespread praise for his stewardship of the city since the terrorist attacks, did not rule out trying to extend his stay in office but said Monday he hasn't had time to decide.

"I have not had time to think about it," said Giuliani, who is barred by law from seeking a third term this fall. "It's a very important decision. I need time to talk to people about it."

Previously, the Republican mayor had said he did not wish to discuss politics as he concentrated on recovery from the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

But a source close to the mayor told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that Giuliani has talked with advisers about extending his stay in office past Dec. 31, when his term expires.

It was unclear whether the mayor would try to have the law amended so voters could vote for him or whether he would try to extend his current term.

Giuliani refused to comment on the speculation, instead urging voters to turn out for Tuesday's Democratic and Republican mayoral primaries and select from among the candidates on the ballot.

"I need time to reflect on what I am going to do and it would not involve the primary anyway," Giuliani said. "It would not make sense to write my name in."

The mayoral election is Nov. 6. [Ed. note: the primaries are Sept. 25.]

For Giuliani to be eligible to continue serving beyond a second term, the Legislature and Republican Gov. George Pataki would have to enact emergency legislation to extend his term, or the City Council and city voters would have to amend the City Charter.

Neither scenario is likely. Mayoral candidate and City Council Speaker Peter Vallone -- as well as top legislative leaders -- have said they do not want to override city voters, who enacted the term limits law in 1993 and again in 1996.
c. 2001 Associated Press

Here is where America's principles are truly tested. Here is where we face how damaging the attack on the WTC was to the precepts that were the true target of zealots and martyrs.

What makes the United States stand out as an experiment in global history is our determination to adhere to the orderly transfer of power and leadership according to law. We have fought wars for that principle both at home and abroad. It is the very concept that separates us from all others.

New York voters have decided on numerous occasions that they choose to have their officials directly responsible to the public will. They have directed officeholders to do the best job they can in a set amount of time, rather than create a self-perpetuating residency.

Over the last ten years, a major proponent of term limits in NY has been Rudolph Giuliani. An outsider, both as a Republican in a Democratic town and a caustic personality in a clubhouse environment, Giuliani consistently railed against insider fat and privilege. But, as times always change, Rudy is now the ultimate insider, barred from running again by the very laws he championed.

As has been widely written, Giuliani has done a masterful job in handling this horrific crisis. As someone who has never been a Rudy fan, I can openly admit I have no idea how we would have fared through all of this without his leadership. His work in this has been nothing short of stunning.

But, this says nothing of the rest of his eight years in office. That, too, is a part of the record. A larger part that points to the mundane running of a large city.

This crisis is his defining moment, no doubt. He has handled it with style, skill and the assurrance that we desperately needed in these dark hours.

But be mindful that jumbo jets falling on us is not the norm. Contracts with teachers is the norm. Police interaction with all segments of the community is the norm. Helping all boroughs and all races is the norm.

On these and others, Rudy has quite a different history. One that is often paranoid, vindictive and petty.

The polls are showing half those asked wanted Rudy to stay despite term limits. But not the other elected officials affected. That speaks towards a cult following at an extremely emotional time.

None of us knows if any of the people running for the job of Mayor could handle this crisis as Rudy hands it off to them. They certainly may not be up to the task. But that is the system. It was the system that was attacked. Not the Mayor. Not Rudy. And, ultimately, to show these cowards that they have lost, it is the system that must prevail.

The Constitution was designed to help us avoid bad ideas at moments of extreme stress and emotional turmoil.

Like now.