August 21, 2007
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Family Loyality
Rudy Giuliani has been out running for president with the other candidates. While he was out on the campaign trail, a woman asked him a question. Katherine Pudhomme-O’Brien said she asked, “how he’d expect the American people to give him loyal fellowship if he was having a hard time getting it from his own family.”
Rudy Giuliani’s response is what has made the news when he answered, “There are complexities in every family in America. The best thing I can say is kind of leave my family alone, just like I’ll leave your family alone.” Here is the link: Link
Now this woman was not a reporter. Regular people are going to ask whatever they are going to ask. When Al Gore was running for president, she asked him about Bill Clinton’s person misbehavior.
She has suggested that the media is not doing their job: “I’m very frustrated by the media. I think maybe they want to maintain access, so maybe they’re selling their soul for access and not doing their job.”
Is the question How do you “expect the American people to give him loyal fellowship if he was having a hard time getting it from his own family” an inappropriate question?
Comments (84)
Yes, because when I vote for my president, I’m voting for my father.
I don’t think so. People can ask whatever they want.
actually it is a damned good question…
yes leave his family alone! such a b**chy, inconsiderate, judgemental woman.
every family has their problems. how his family is is of no indication of how he is. he can be a great person, dedicated to his family (if that is the model type americans want), his family can still be terrible.
americans want as a president, i mean. stupid stupid woman thinking that she is smart.
I don’t like Giuliani, but that’s pretty harsh. I know that it’s fair game to ask hard questions of candidates, but I think that’s going a bit far. I also know that his family situation is an indication of his character and what kind of leader he might make, but all that is needed there is observation. I really don’t see the need to ask the guy such hurtful questions. What would be the aim?
That is a damn good question that should have been asked by the media long ago. Unfortunately the media is often hesitant to ask truly difficult questions.
Every family does have its issues but if he is elected president then his family becomes public figures whether he likes it or not and his family issues to matter. If he wants to keep it private then he should not be running for president.
I don’t think it is inappropriate…
Sure every family has their problems… but we’ll still fight for that person to the death.
Loyalty is important and if the people closest to you aren’t loyal to you. That shows 2 things.
a) they are all unloyal people.
b) you did something to lose their loyalty.
or c) both a, and b.
The question probably stung a bit, because it is personal, so I would feel some guilt at asking it. But really? If you’re running for president, that comes with the playing field, and you have to expect to get those questions, and to know that people are going to expect answers.
Leadership is a lonely place.
I think it’s incredibly inappropriate. The private lives of presidents and presidential candidates are none of our business. It’s not going to effect his ability to do whatever it is that he’s doing.
I don’t think it’s inappropriate….I think it says alot about a person….I just feel that privacy is something you give up for the limelight…you make your choice….especially a presidental canidate…people want to feel much safer with their new choice then the past 2 presidents have made them feel….they really want to be certain for this race that they are choosing the best man (or I guess maybe woman too) possible
I don’t think any question is necessarily inappropriate, so long as nobody is asking Rudy what color his underwear is (and even that might get him some votes); but this seems like a legitimate question.
I don’t think it was too much of an inappropriate question. It’s a typical “reporter” question that should have been sugar coated diplomatically if she had known what she was doing. Then again, could it have been sugar coated?? But it was not her place to ask such a thing. That was pretty impudent of her… a good amount of people who point out things in others like that are MOST likely dealing with it in their own homes.. there’s obviously some sort of soft spot in her life she might be feeling a little bitter about….
No, it’s not like she’s asking him why his family isn’t giving him their loyal fellowship and prying into the details. Although…that might not be a bad question either.
I personally think that any question is not an inappropriate question, maybe at inappropriate times, but it shouldn’t be inappropriate if you’re really trying to just learn and understand (and etc.) and not trying to pry or insult (and etc.). If the one being questioned feels that it is inappropriate, he/she should just say so and the questioner should just drop it. In this case Rude feels that it’s inappropriate, for him.
Ho! That’s very generalized.
That is a very excellent question, but there is no need to attack people’s personal lives. Some people function differently in public as opposed to their private lives. I like how she’s thinking out of the box, but that question was unnecessary.
No. Family has nothing to do with how percept you.
Very good question, actually. They shouldn’t delve into his personal life too much, but heck, running for anything, one gives up that privacy. Should we vote for someone whose own family wouldn’t vote for him or doesn’t want to spend any time with him?
I think her question was relevant. And I think the way he answered it shows alot about how he plans to run his office if he becomes president. The better question SHOULD be, whats with his sorry ass answer? He couldnt come up with better than that? lol.
Good question and a good answer too.
What’s loyality?
i would not vote for him even if he answered the question right. he has every right to protect his family.
And, now that I think of it, some people have said that a president’s personal life doesnt afftect the way he does his job….Apparently, they have never been stressed out in the workplace. Everything around you affects the way you do your job. If your family life is not at least somewhat-normal, then how can I expect you to affectively run a country? I mean, people were in Bill’s ASS for his little affair with Monica, but we cant ask Guiliani about his family NOT supporting him? At least the Clinton’s held it together, and continue to support each other all these years later. They had/have a common goal. The Guiliani’s dont appear to have a common goal. This is like the best double standard, ever, lol.
I think that no question should be off limits, really.
I dont think its inappropriate. I think that when you run for public office, you should be prepared to all elements of scrutiny, just like any other form of celebrity.
Now, I am a Republican (*gasp!*), and my question to him would probably be far more inappropriate. I’d like to know how I am supposed to expect him to represent my conservative values, when between himself and his newest wife, there are six marriages?
I think it was a well-phrased, pertinent question. The wording of it wasn’t invasive or judgmental of his family, so Rudy’s response was inappropriate.
I don’t know, Gulliani is a douche anyway…
I think its is a very appropriate question. If they guy can’t deal with his own family in his life how can he deal with a whole nation?
A person’s personal family life has nothing to do with how they run their career. What’s more important is what policies they back and their history of leadership.
The same principal goes to the fact that a person can be a wonderful parent and a horrible spouse.
Actually, I think it was very appropriate. I think Rudy’s response was rather rude, though.
I’m not sure. But I do like Rudy’s response.
she should rephrase it….asking it that way….makes it seem a little more…idunno. but it makes the question sound rude.
At least she didn’t ask what kind of underwear he wore.
It’s too bad Pudhomme-O’Brien didn’t use her opportunity to ask something a bit more weighty. Why not ask if his divorces mask an inability to face conflict? Why not challenge HIS loyalty? No president expects total support from every citizen; and I see no reason to expect total support from every family member. I don’t agree with my dad’s politics. I love him, but I wouldn’t campaign for him.
I just hope Giuliani doesn’t leave his vice-president for another younger, prettier vice-president.
His personal life has nothing with how he will be able to run a country. It doesn’t waiver my opinion of him one bit.
Every family has their own issues.
And yes, his reply was awesome!
It’s funny and his answer was great. But I don’t think his family has anything to do with his politics.
It was a rude question, and would be inappropriate when asked to an average person. But he’s a political figure in the media, he should have expected to be asked that question and prepared for it.
It’s a pointless question, IMHO.
Its ALL talk anyway- laa they do is Talk Talk Talk- Nothing ever comes about with these people…
Thats why I hate Politics
Who cares? And now because of this answer it’s gonna do the exact opposite, his kids are gonna get front page coverage instead of being left alone.
If this had been a question asked to a mayor of some one-horse town we wouldn’t be hearing about this.
The very first response to this question took away my need to say anything.
-David
btw, I like the word Loyality – it has truthiness.
It’s a fair question based on Biblical principles.
I have found, attempting to attend events as a freelance “real person” reporter, that access is unilaterally denied, and it takes a hell of a lot of connections to get it in the first place. So, yeah, everyone insulates themselves from the press or media in an attempt to control it.
And that is why I do not trust what we hear, read, see, etc., unless it is first-hand.
Anyone woman with a hyphenated last name (e.g. Pudhomme-O’Brien) is probably a liberal bitch anyway. Yes the question is inappropriate, has nothing to do with the issues. Is he supposed to say “It is unfortunate my kids are liberal pussies”?
He answered that question well. Still, it isn’t really much of a necessary question. He should be prepared to answer any question that he’s asked
Any woman with a hyphenated last name (e.g. Pudhomme-O’Brien) is probably a liberal bitch anyway. Yes the question is inappropriate, has nothing to do with the issues. Is he supposed to say “It is unfortunate my kids are liberal pussies”?
its not inappropriate it just didnt have to be asked, everyones family is fucked up
I don’t think it is inappropriate at all. I think anyone should be able to ask whatever is on their heart. However, the politician should also be able to not answer a question if he/she wants to.
Yes.
. . .Not necessarily to ask him, but certainly to ask one’s self before voting for him.
I’m just NOT a fan of that dude.
Oh shoot! I answered it as if the question had been: “Do you think it’s an APPROPRIATE question?”
Doesn’t that assume that we’re loyal to our political leaders? However which is worse, a family that doesn’t hide its dysfunctions or one that covers theirs up with a bunch of pre-staged photo ops?
my problems at home don’t make me slack as a worker… it makes me stronger and more capable of doing my job better…. people are different though… if someone was always butting into my personal life i’d probably drop my high performance at work because i would be more focused on this asshole butting into my life.
It’s a legitimate question. If your family cannot support you loyally and publicly while you’re campaigning (or in anything else), why should the American people put their trust and loyalty in you too?
thanks! They did go away too.
I think the question is irrelevant and has nothing to do with whether the person would be a good president. But that being said, I dislike Guliani. He’s mean-spirited towards democrats and misleading. I’m for Obama all the way!
Not every family is close. I think that it is sometimes naive of Americans to think that a candidate’s family should be up there behind him. I think it is sad for him that his family doesn’t support him but let’s not major in the minors. We are looking at his politics and philosophy of how he would run this country — not how his children treat him. And from what I understand, it is how they treat him, not how he treats them.
Not at all, very much on the money…………
I don’t think it was inappropriate. Supposedly if you can’t handle your own family, how can you handle America?
I thought Rudy’s response was inappropriate.
Well if he’s gonna run for president, he better be equipped to answer any questions that come his way whether appropriate or not.
I think the question was very personal and not necessary. It seems like in this election, we’re starting to delve a little too deeply into the personal lives of the candidates.
I think it is a fair question. The Bible tells us to follow a certain criteria for leaders. Having your family under control is part of that.
It’s a completely appropriate question. If a man is incapable of holding his own family together, how can we expect him to hold a country together? That’s like telling the guard who lets a bank get robbed that it’s immaterial in deciding whether he can guard Fort Knox.
He, of course, is free to not answer, but he comes off as being “I-don’t-care” about it.
that’s a great question, and a great answer on giuliani’s part
i know i would hate to be forced to support my dad if he was a politician whose views i disagreed with
no. people should be able to ask whatever they want of someone who wants to run the country.
No, it’s pretty appropriate. It would ask a politician to explain his stance in relation to his personal life, it’s simply a matter of being consistant.
Yes, because that was a personal attack. She should know better not to bring his family into the question.
Nope… It’s not innapropriate. That’s the truth of the matter. Guilliani is a drag queen dressed up like a man not having respect for his family, that’s all I can say about him.
In politics…everything goes. Esp when youre running for President of United States of America. I dont like it but I must admit, its a good tactic for his non supporters or people who want to shame him.
Family is private but when you are in the limelight….people will use anything against you…even if its not your fault but your families’ fault. Just like Bush’s daughter out drinking underage.
Just like Hilary CLilnton getting accusations saying shes not a good wife thats why Bill CLinton cheated…..What the fuck right?
I think one’s family life speaks a lot about him. If one has several marriages, he doesn’t appear to have fidelity or the ability to work things out. Although Rudy was great after 9/11, that doesn’t necessarily mean he can go the distance.
Think about this, they are his kids from a previous marriage and I am sure the kids mother did everything she could to get them against him. So…I am going to copy someone that is famous in here…Middle aged mothers!
It’s just stupid. What does that have to do with his ability to run a country?
I guess he did not have an answer worked out for that question yet. I think its a good question, he is supposed to be setting the examples if he wants to play president.
I don’t see how it’s inappropriate…
It does seem a low blow. A relationship w ur family n ur constituency may have sum parallels, but its not to b compared. What makes a voter happy enough to b loyal may not b wht giulanis family wants. And dat question assumes dat its rudys shortcomin when it may be his familys.
It is inappropriate. I mean, it doesn’t have to do with his skills as a leader, does it?
’nuff said…
No. The question is irrelevant to whether he would be a good president or not. It’s a logical fallacy.
it is important question. New age, new rules. Character SHOULD count….. sorry. The rules changed. LEts become worth while PEOPLE first, then maybe we can do politics. K?
it seems like a pretty low blow
why does loyalty matter in America which is a democracy not a monarchy?? We choose our leader by voting, we pick the person we think is right, is competent, i don’t think everyone having to agree or follow with that chosen person is necessary (ie loyalty) as George W Bush is the perfect example of that. GW sure as hell does not inspire loyalty in many Americans… yet he is still President… nor is he competent but that is my personal opinion
shes pretty…….
It’s appropriate, but I think you’d treat America a bit differently than your family.
But that’s just me.
Of course it is. Anything conserning the canidate should be okay to ask. I mean if someone can ask Clinton “Boxer’s or Briefs?”
No, its not. Your family is the group of people that are the closest to you throughout your life. They know you better than anyone else. And when even they won’t support you it raises doubt in everyone elses mind. Especially when its someone as close as your daughter.
Its inappropriate because what she was GETTING at is “why do your kids think you’re an asshole?” That is just a mean question, even if you say it in a nice way.