State Dems Criticize Giuliani

SDDP Chair Jack Billion: Giuliani’s history with Kerik makes him unfit for Presidency

SIOUX FALLS – South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jack Billion said South Dakota Republicans should be wary of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s ethical scandals and leadership deficiencies before and since 9/11.

The latest scandal embroiling the liberal New York Republican is his refusal to say whether or not, as President, he would pardon his long time friend Bernard Kerik who is facing tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy charges.

Giuliani had recommended Kerik to be National Homeland Security chief, even though Kerik accepted $165,000 in gifts from an alleged mob-linked construction firm while Kerik served as New York City Corrections Department Commission. [New York Times 3/30/07, 7/03/06; Newsday 12/18/04]

Giuliani has not disputed evidence presented to a grand jury that Giuliani was briefed on Kerik’s relationship with the firm before he appointed Kerik to serve as New York City police commissioner. In later campaigning for Kerik to head Homeland Security, Giuliani, who was a mentor to Kerik for many years, personally lobbied President Bush to promote Kerik for the number 1 national security position.

Kerik currently faces tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy charges. Kerik also stirred a scandal when it was revealed he had used an apartment designated for use by Ground Zero rescue workers as a nest for an extramarital affair. [New York Times 11/3/07]

“The culture of corruption in the Bush/Cheney White House has disillusioned many South Dakotans. The last thing voters from either party want is more of the same,” Billion said. “Hopefully, the South Dakota Republican Party will get this message.

“South Dakota Republican Party officials should be cautious when inviting a man of Giuliani’s troubled history to represent their party in our state.”