Rudy as Prosecutor

EVERYONE knows Rudolph Giuliani as “America’s mayor”-but prior to that he was arguably “America’s prosecutor” as well. He spent 13 years as an associate attorney general, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney, compiling a genuinely impressive record of accomplishment in fighting the mob and public corruption. He was aggressive and innovative; his record suggests not only that he, in the words of a former colleague, “has a stubborn conviction about what he believes,” but also that he knows how to implement those convictions. Giuliani’s prosecutorial experience is thus an unappreciated but important piece of the case for his candidacy: that he has the proven leadership skills to be president.

In 1970, Giuliani became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York. After serving as chief of the Narcotics Unit, he prosecuted highly publicized police-corruption cases. In 1974, Giuliani’s courtroom skills became part of prosecutorial legend in former congressman Bertram Podell’s bribery trial. As the New York Times later recounted: “After hours of Mr. Giuliani’s grueling cross-examination, Mr. Podell-quite calm at the start-became so flustered that he poked out a lens of his glasses, requested a recess and then pleaded guilty.”

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Jennifer Rubin

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Rudy Giuliani

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EVERYONE knows Rudolph Giuliani as “America’s mayor”-but prior to that he was arguably “America’s prosecutor” as well. He spent 13 years as an associate attorney general, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney, compiling a genuinely impressive record of accomplishment in fighting the mob and public corruption. He was aggressive and innovative; his record suggests not only that he, in the words of a former colleague, “has a stubborn conviction about what he believes,” but also that he knows how to implement those convictions. Giuliani’s prosecutorial experience is thus an unappreciated but important piece of the case for his candidacy: that he has the proven leadership skills to be president.

In 1970, Giuliani became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York. After serving as chief of the Narcotics Unit, he prosecuted highly publicized police-corruption cases. In 1974, Giuliani’s courtroom skills became part of prosecutorial legend in former congressman Bertram Podell’s bribery trial. As the New York Times later recounted: “After hours of Mr. Giuliani’s grueling cross-examination, Mr. Podell-quite calm at the start-became so flustered that he poked out a lens of his glasses, requested a recess and then pleaded guilty.”