Monday, January 07,

Not ALL Italian Americans are Proud of Rudy Giuliani

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Even though Rudy Giuliani is a Republican, (and therefore presumed heartless), and despite his 3 Marriages, and his Kids don't speak to him (and therefore he falls a little short in Family Values), and 9/11 softened his otherwise dictatorial, and corrupt cronies  NY Mayor image, I would still be tempted to support Giuliani for President, although I would hold my breathe, if he were to win, because while he has proven he has prosecutorial skills, he has evidenced few political skills, and could set back the "Italian Image"  2 generations. 

 

But it is his oblivious "insensitivity" to his heritage by   impersonating Mafia bosses and other wiseguy wisecracking , and THEN Despite pleas from leaders and activists of our Italian community to STOP denigrating our "Image", he Offers No Apology for indiscretion, Doesn't Stop, but BLATANTLY IGNORES their reasonable requests and Continues "Shylock" and "Step'nFetchit"  type impersonations that would be justifiably shouted down by the Jewish and Black Communities. 

 

And worst of all, he STILL doesn't realize that the Italian American community that is "tepid" or even "disinterested" could have been a powerful force on his behalf.  He sure lost my vote and efforts. 

 

 

Cellucci: We're all proud of Rudy


Boston Herald

By Dave Wedge    

Thursday, January 3, 2008  

While some Italian-Americans are blasting Rudy Giuliani for impersonating Mafia bosses and other wiseguy wisecracking, former Bay State Gov. Paul Cellucci says the ex-New York mayor is a "proud" Italian who is a credit to their heritage.

"The vast majority of Italian-Americans are very proud of Rudy, as I am," Cellucci, a Giuliani supporter, told the Herald. "I think it's much ado about nothing. The fact that he jokes around at times should not be taken as anything negative. He's a proud Italian with a long record of accomplishment."

Giuliani has taken heat from some Italian-Americans, including the Order Sons of Italy, which earlier this year urged him to stop making light of mobsters and playing into Italian stereotypes.

The Herald reported yesterday that Florida Italian-American activist Richard Capozzola called Giuliani an "Uncle Tomaso," comparing him to blacks who sell out their race by acting like "Uncle Toms"

Giuliani aides countered that the former mayor sent Mob figures to jail as a federal prosecutor and was honored by the National Italian American Foundation in October.

"I'm sure some people are offended and fine," Cellucci said of the Mob jokes. "But I don't think it's inappropriate at all. Not for a guy who's prosecuted these guys."

Other Italian-American organizations have called on Giuliani to drop the shtick, claiming he's denigrating Italians by perpetuating harmful stereotypes. In April, he was roundly criticized by the Sons of Italy after he impersonated Don Corleone - the Mob boss played by Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" - in a TV interview and on campaign stops.

Cellucci and former state Treasurer Joe Malone, a fellow Italian-American pol from Massachusetts, have campaigned hard here and in other states for Giuliani.

Cellucci, who will be on the trail in New Hampshire with Giuliani this weekend, said he thinks the former mayor will be "competitive" in the Granite State.

"He's focused a lot on New Hampshire, but he's also spent a lot of time in Florida, Pennsylvania, Missouri, New Jersey, California," Cellucci said. "His strategy is more of a national campaign. He's looking forward to the Florida primary and Super Tuesday. I think it's a good strategy."

 

The ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed (and are Archived) on:

Italia USA: http://www.ItaliaUSA.com [Formerly Italy at St Louis] (7 years)

Italia Mia: http://www.ItaliaMia.com (3 years)

Annotico Email: annotico@earthlink.net