NYPD Commissioner Kirwick indicted: Trouble for Rudy Guiliani?

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by Bud McBride

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The news is out as of Friday Bernie Kerwick the former Commissioner of Police of New York City under Rudy Juliani will turn himself into federal authorities. Based on news reports Kerwick has been indicted for income tax invasion and corruption to be succinct. It has been rumored for a long time that Kerwick had connections with the people he was supposed to be putting in jail. What if any impact will this development have on the presidential aspirations of Rudy.

One of Rudy's claim to the Presidency has been how his administration brought down crime in NYC and made a safe place again. There is no denying that accomplishment, however, is that something that he will continue to boast about considering the person who played a big part in that effort, Bernie Kerwick is now the matter of a federal corruption indictment.

I for one do not think that Rudy can now effectively use this accomplishment, however, laudable as part of his campaign. It is not hard to imagine a debate where either the matter is raised by a questioner or he mentions his success and one of his opponents then raises the specter of Kerwick.

The other question for Rudy is what if any impact this situation will have on his campaign overall. In other words does this story have legs and will it be death by association for his campaign. While he has apologized for his judgment as to Kerwick overall, will this matter stick to Rudy.

Even though, Rudy has said sorry mea culpa. Can he still argue that he is an effective administrator. I would suggest that he is going to have a very hard time. While it is clear that there is no way that you can as a Mayor, Governor or President account for all your people, Rudy is looking at a real serious and I believe crippling blow to this campaign. The difference is based on three factors as to his relationship with Kerwick. One Kerwick, after Rudy left the Mayor's office was a business partner with Rudy. Two, on Rudy's recommendation to President Bush, Kerwick was initially nominated by the President to become Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Of course that nomination went down the tubes. Third and final reason is that Kerwick was his key man on the main issue overall that Rudy argues that he such a good executive. Rudy's claim that he made a real and significant change in the overall quality of life in New York City. A City that many in the past as cited by Rudy that was ungovernable.

My impression is that we will now see within the next two weeks a slow and steady decline of Rudy in the national polls. Look what happened to the GOP congress when it got hit with corruption. While I do not agree that Rudy is to blame for this situation or the activities of Kerwick this is just one case where I do not see him being able to detach himself from the problem. Unfortunately, a heavy lead anchor has just been tied around Rudy's neck.

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