Rudy was a member of Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group but failed to show up for any of the meetings!

[Hamlette]

Rudolph Giuliani's membership on an elite Iraq study panel came to an abrupt end last spring after he failed to show up for a single official meeting of the group, causing the panel's top Republican to give him a stark choice: either attend the meetings or quit, several sources said.

Giuliani left the Iraq Study Group last May after just two months, walking away from a chance to make up for his lack of foreign policy credentials on the top issue in the 2008 race, the Iraq war.

He cited "previous time commitments" in a letter explaining his decision to quit, and a look at his schedule suggests why -- the sessions at times conflicted with Giuliani's lucrative speaking tour that garnered him $11.4 million in 14 months.

Giuliani failed to show up for a pair of two-day sessions that occurred during his tenure, the sources said -- and both times, they conflicted with paid public appearances shown on his recent financial disclosure. Giuliani quit the group during his busiest stretch in 2006, when he gave 20 speeches in a single month that brought in $1.7 million.

On one day the panel gathered in Washington -- May 18, 2006 -- Giuliani delivered a $100,000 speech on leadership at an Atlanta business awards breakfast. Later that day, he attended a $100-a-ticket Atlanta political fundraiser for conservative ally Ralph Reed, whom Giuliani hoped would provide a major boost to his presidential campaign.


http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-usrudy0619,0,7996765.story

He was too busy making money so he could run for president instead of learning something about the job he will take.

Honestly, can you IMAGINE in your wildest dreams being offered a position on a panel like that and turning it down?

This needs more play.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Not one!

Mr. Security?

The Savior of 9-11?

Mighty Mouth?

Guess he had better things to do with his valuable time.

[BlueManDude]

2. Nothing to see here, move along. He'll get a pass.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. And then he put the final report in the trash without reading it. n/t

[whistle]

4. That speaks volumes about Giuliani-oh's work ethic and priorities

....in his career

[Hamlette]

5. you'd of thought he'd be interested in what is going on in Iraq

since he plans of taking it over. Maybe he really meant it when he said "its in the hands of other people" when asked why there was no mention of Iraq in his 12 step plan.

[Disturbed]

6. Did he return the $ that he was paid for that non-service?

Didn't all the participants receive around $100K for their input?

Btw Ms. O'Conner was on that commitee. Didn't she claim that she retired to take care of her Altz. husband?

[Shakespeare]

7. AND his SC campaign chair was just indicted for dealing crack.

Bad, bad day for Rudy.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/014704.php

[Hamlette]

8. Like, Josh, this should be a campaign ender for Rudy what with his tough man approach to Iraq

but no interest in the MSM...or here even. Why not?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/014692.php

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jun/19/will_media_pick_up_scoop_about_rudy_blowing_off_iraq_study_group

[senseandsensibility]

9. kick

and nominated.

[Hamlette]

10. kick because I agree with Talking Points Memo, this should be a huge story

suppose a Dem candidate blew off the Iraq study group. they would paint us as not interested in defense, safety...as wimps. Here is the biggest war monger in the bunch not interested in the war we're in.

Why is this not a big deal?

[americanstranger]

11. I'm wondering the same thing.

I posted this story here earlier today. 3 replies, gone.

I don't get it. I really don't get it.

- as

[orleans]

13. sorry i didn't see your post from earlier. i would have k&r'd it too. n/t

[senseandsensibility]

12. I did hear this mentioned several times today

on MSNBC, during their Super Tuesday coverage. I think I also heard it on Keith's show. Of course I wouldn't be surprised if everyone else is ignoring it, but I think it may have legs nonetheless. If nothing else, Dems can use it against him in debates and ads.

[Hamlette]

14. agreed, we can still use it but how many hours did we spend on Edwards' hair cut?

I hope we do use it in debates, etc.

[The Count]

15. Gee! Somehow, only Clinton's speaking fees get publicized! Even on DU!

In a thread on Scooter Libby, Marc Rich pardon and the speech fees were mentioned all in one sentence! And all this time, Rudy - the Mayor had outdone Bill the POTUS! Imagine that!

[Hamlette]

16. yes, and it does it at the expense of helping his country and learning something n/t