Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Giuliani Thinks Gingrich Is Reagany (Good), Romney Is Flip-Floppy (Bad)
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 15, 2011
Modified Dec 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 15, 2011
Modified Dec 15, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In case his gushing admiration isn't enough to tip you off, Rudy Giuliani friggin' loves Newt Gingrich all of a sudden—and he's willing to go on every cable news show to sing his praises if he has to. Not that Gingrich is asking for it, mind you; as the Washington Post put it, "Gingrich needs Rudy Giuliani like he needs another marriage." But even so, Giuliani's gonna do whatever he can to help his buddy out—and that includes ripping on Mitt Romney: “I ran against him in ‘07 and ‘08 [and] I’ve never seen a guy change his position so many times, so fast, on a dime,” Giuliani said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
It's hard to believe, we know, but Giuliani suggested that Romney was a flip-flopper, a narrative that has haunted Romney (albeit, deservedly so) for years now. Giuliani thinks President Obama can take advantage of this weakness: “I think that is a great vulnerability...What Barack Obama will do with that [is say] ‘This is a man without a core, a man without substance, a man that will say anything to become President of the United States.’”
But what about Gingrich's own weakness and vulnerabilities, hmm? Giuliani isn't as worried, because Gingrich has been touched by the spirit: he's Reaganing! “I think Newt has his set of vulnerabilities, but a more consistent position with real ideas like Ronald Reagan had,” Giuliani said. “I remember the Carter White House just dying [to run against] Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan was the dumb actor, said incendiary things.”
Giuliani continued the comparison between Gingrich and Reagan while discussing his joy over Newt referring to the Palestinians as an "invented people" at the last debate: "I jumped up out of my chair and cheered for Newt when he said what he said about Palestine. Finally. Thank God. Someone is saying the right things about Palestine. Somebody has to question why are we creating a Palestinian state that’s going to be another terrorist state...And somebody’s got to have the guts to stand and say that like Ronald Reagan said, “the Evil Empire.” Like Ronald Reagan said, “Tear down the wall.” We need somebody like that."
Tagged
2012 election
election 2012
mitt romney
newt gingrich
reagan
reaganing
rudy giuliani
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
The company blamed ‘macro-economic headwinds.’ The co-founder is suing over compensation.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 11:29 a.m. ET
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
The Justice Department sued demonstrators who protested at a synagogue, under a law aimed at shielding abortion clinics.
By
Willow Higgins
News
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
The Justice Department sued demonstrators who protested at a synagogue, under a law aimed at shielding abortion clinics.
By
Willow Higgins
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
By
Rosemary Misdary
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .