Giuliani's Son Won't Campaign for Him

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 10:43pm

Wow. I mean, even Reagan's estranged children (some of whom hated him and Nancy) still campaigned for him. Between this and the two divorces, Giuliani might have trouble picking up votes from the "Family Values" crowd out there.....


"Duke Golfer Andrew Giuliani Won't Campaign for Father
Posted Mar 3rd 2007 8:04AM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: New York, Golf, College Sports

Andrew Giuliani is a sophomore at Duke, a member of the golf team, and an aspiring professional. He's also the son of former New York mayor and current presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. But don't expect to see the younger Giuliani in any campaign commercials. Andrew Giuliani says he has no interest in helping his father get elected.


Andrew Giuliani said he would not participate in his father's campaign, saying his devotion to becoming a professional golfer within three years allows no time for distraction.

I wish this were just a story of a college golfer so dedicated to his craft that he wouldn't let anything get in the way of his ultimate goal, but it's clearly more than that. The photo shows Andrew at Rudy's wedding to Judith Nathan, and in an interview with the New York Times, Andrew made clear that it's his father's relationship with Nathan -- not just his golf career -- that makes him ambivalent about Rudy becoming president.

"There's obviously a little problem that exists between me and his wife," the younger Mr. Giuliani said. "And we're trying to figure that out. But as of right now it's not working as well as we would like."...

While he would not say how long he had been estranged from his father, others close to the family said it appeared to have been for at least a year.

The story is sad, more than anything else, but it's also an interesting look at a young athlete who will always be known mostly for his famous father, even if some day he wins the Masters."

http://bears.aolsportsblog.com/2007/03/03/duke-golfer-andrew-giuliani-wont-campaign-for-father/

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 10:44pm

he wants to be a professional golfer?

ohjesus

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 10:49pm

You sure it's a golf thing and not the fact Giuliani screwed around on his mother? Interesting.

Updated On: 3/4/07 at 10:49 PM

[jimnysf]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 10:52pm

Rudy is an ass so I'm glad to see that the kid has some sense. Any father who carries on an affair in public like Rudy did, while married, deserves no support from his kid.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 10:56pm

"Andrew Giuliani said he and his father have recently tried to reconcile after not speaking "for a decent amount of time." In the Times article, Andrew attributed their strained relationship to Nathan, saying, "There's obviously a little problem that exists between me and his wife."

According to the Times, Rudy Giuliani used to pride himself on attending all his children's events, but at some point after his marriage to Nathan in 2003 he stopped. He missed his son's graduation in 2005 and his 17-year old daughter's plays in the last 18 months.

"We are both working on our relationship," Andrew Giuliani told ABC News. "No matter what he's done, I love my father. He's my father and we love each other. It's not as good as it once was — but it's better than when it was its lowest, and it is getting better all the time."

"This is something families around the country go through every day," he added. "My friends go through this. But this is front-page news because of who we are."

Andrew Giuliani made clear that despite their personal differences, he fully supports his father's bid for president, and believes he's the right person to run the country.

"I have problems with my father, but it doesn't mean he won't make a great president," he said. "He was a great mayor. He did great things for New York and would be very effective as a president. He is a great leader. He has vision, and he is willing to stand up for what he believes in."

Though he supports his father, Andrew Giuliani does not plan on participating in his campaign. As a Duke University sophomore and aspiring professional golfer, he has no time for distractions.

"I will not be active in his campaign," he said. "I am too busy with golf."

Stage Set for an Ugly Battle


Though Andrew Giuliani said he doesn't want to hurt his father, presidential historian Douglas Brinkley thinks his comments could break Rudy Giuliani's campaign.

"It's a real first strike against the candidate, puts them in a dark deep hole right off the bat," Brinkley said. "It's gonna be ugly. His own son doesn't think he is a man of high moral values."

According to Brinkley, the critical area candidates must keep pristine during the grueling race to the White House is their wholesome family image. Scenes like Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., with his irresistible little girls or Republican Mitt Romney surrounding himself with his children and grandchildren when he announced his run for president are priceless.

"The big moment, the memorable moment, isn't the speech but it's when the candidate steps forward, the wife comes on, the kids rush on and you hear this great 'aww,' and everyone feels there is a specialness to this person," Brinkley said.

Of course, sometimes high-profile kids can throw a curve ball into a tight race.

While many believe 2004 democratic candidate Howard Dean did himself in with his so-called "Dean Scream," his son Paul didn't help when he was arrested for stealing alcohol.

First daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush also made headlines for alleged underage drinking, but have largely avoided the campaign trail. They did make a rare appearance at the 2004 Republican National Convention in a display that some believe wasn't appropriate.

Andrew Giuliani is no stranger to political controversy himself. When his father was inaugurated as New York City's mayor in 1993, the then 6-year-old Andrew Giuliani stole the spotlight by climbing all over his dad during his speech, turning what was supposed to be a staid local ceremony into a national joke."


http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=2922097&page=2

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 10:18am

Boy.

Even Ron Reagan NEVER said, "I will not be involved with the Gipper's campaign--I'm too busy with ballet."

Tell us more, Andrew.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 10:21am

It's times like this when I miss Chris Farley the most.

[blueroses]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 10:36am

Stop reading my mind, Rath! I was thinking the EXACT same thing. Very memorable SNL moment. lol.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 1:05pm

Even Reagan's son whom the gipper FAILED TO RECOGNIZE at his graduation went out to campaign for the old man.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 9:54pm

That's just too, too precious!

[Jon]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 10:17pm

oops - never mind Updated On: 3/5/07 at 10:17 PM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 10:18pm

I am basing this entire split-second judgement on the barely visible picture of him in the first post, but the son looks like a real ass.

Updated On: 3/5/07 at 10:18 PM

[pab]

Posted: 3/5/07 at 10:20pm

"MONTEREY PARK, Calif. — Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani asked for privacy on Monday to deal with strained relationships within his family, including the estrangement between his son and his third wife.

Campaigning in Southern California, Giuliani faced questions about his family after his son, Andrew, publicly said their relationship had become distant after Giuliani's messy divorce from Andrew's mother, Donna Hanover, and his later marriage to Judith Nathan."
Giuliani Seeks Privacy on Family Issues