Giuliani’s Fall and the Tradition of Political Buffoonery

The local radio station features a popular morning segment called “Talk of the Towns,” and for the past week, the talk of the towns-and of New Hampshire generally-has been rudolph Giuliani’s automobile accident.

Much of the discussion centers on his recovery. Initial reports indicated a fractured vertebra, hospital treatment, and release on Labor Day. Even his harshest critics-and,in Giuliani’s style,his critics are invariably fierce-expressed relief at his bright prospects for a full recovery.

While giuliani will undoubtedly face criticism-a process he understands well, having skillfully employed it himself-I wholeheartedly join those wishing him well. A nation needs figures like Giuliani, though more for his courage during the 2001 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York than for his recent descent into Trump sycophancy. Our national life currently features more operatics than genuine comedy.

However, in his latter role, the ever-present Rudy has revived a long-dormant (and, in my view, underappreciated) tradition of colorful bunglers and dissemblers, injecting a farcical, even slapstick element into politics. Personally, I hope the former New York City mayor-he’s a gift that keeps on giving-lives a long life.

The accident,near Manchester,brought back memories of how Giuliani,once a stalwart of New York politics,became a laughingstock admired by almost no one,including those he obsequiously flattered.

indeed, the distasteful-the word applies too both parties involved in this episode-bromance between Giuliani and Donald Trump provides a 21st-century illustration of Samuel Johnson’s 18th-century definition of a patron: “One who countenances, supports or protects. Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery.”

This period in American life offers numerous examples of dissent, but no more dramatic instance of decline than Giuliani’s, particularly here in New Hampshire.

Exactly 18 years ago this month, Giuliani, a legitimate and formidable 2008 presidential candidate, finished in a dead heat with Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts in the New Hampshire primary-a remarkable achievement, considering that Granite State voters have historically favored candidates from neighboring states, including John F. Kennedy, Henry Cabot Lodge, Michael Dukakis, Paul Tsongas, and John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Edmund Muskie of Maine.

For nearly a year, Giuliani was the na