Song de La Loma, at the Little Havana senior 's center. Photo by Mark Silva
by Mark Silva
MIAMI – A 15 piece, salsa-dancing and singing company of older men and women dressed in white from head to toe – the women gowned, the men wearing guayaberas and slacks – sways on the low stage of a Little Havana senior citizens center to the beat of a conga drummer.
“Florida is Rudy Country,’’ reads the hopeful banner strung behind the stage, as a couple of hundred elderly people fill the rows of metal folding chairs on the speckled linoleum floor, the hall lighted in fluorescence, the neighborhood bathed in the winter sun of a cool and breezy Miami morning.
This was supposed to be part of the base of Rudy Giuliani’s high-stakes campaign for the Republicans of Florida. Yet here, as elsewhere in Florida, polls show the former mayor of New York’s hold on the staunchly Cuban-American community of Miami-Dade County is slipping.
“Giuliani!’’ exclaims a man in the back of the hall, Victor Laval, asked why he has come here this morning. But will he vote for Giuliani, Laval is asked. “Maybe…. Maybe,’’ he says, fluttering a hand in doubt. "Maybe... maybe.''
Giuliani learns hear that he will be No. 11 on the local ballot Tuesday, a number that plays prominently on the palm-cards that organizers are handing out to the crowd: Pocket-sized glossy white cards with a photo of a Boeing airliner aloft and painted with the face and name of Rudy Giuliani, No. 11. "El 29 de Enero despegaremos en la Florida Rumbo a 'the White House,' the card reads. (On the 29th, they're sending Rudy to la Casa Blanca.)
There’s no question about that vote with Sahara Boada, an elderly, retired airline worker who lived for 21 years in New York and has lived in the Miami area since 1974. Boada has donned a shimmering blue dress and come down from North Miami Beach this morning to see the mayor.
“He did a lot for New York City,’’ she says of Giuiliani. “When the towers went down, he did a lot more than the president of the United States. As a matter of fact, he was there before the president of the United States.
“He cleaned up New York,’’ she adds. “All the vagrants and all the prostitutes.’’
And come Tuesday, she says, she will cast a vote for Giuliani.
With the latest newspaper polls in Florida portraying Giuliani as slipping behind Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Sen. John McCain of Arizona among Republican voters statewide, the Giuliani campaign has come today to the heart of a Cuban-American community that will account for one in ten of the Republican primary votes cast next week.
The view of downtown from the car dealers along Calle Ocho.
Romney was here this morning too: Addressing the Latin Builders Association assembled in the downtown phalanx of glass-skinned high-rises that Miami has erected along the reflecting pool of Biscayne Bay. Giuliani will address the builders this afternoon – they represent a traditional power base in the Cuban-American community here. Giuliani addresses the room at 1 pm ET, Mike Huckabee arrives at 2 pm, John McCain at 5 pm.
But for now, the dance company known as Song de La Loma is swaying on stage to the rhythm of the congas and the sound of recorded trumpets. The men wear red kerchiefs around their necks, the women red sashes around their wastes. Outside, the street-side windows of the café offer freshly brewed and sugar-charged “cafecitos’’ for 50 cents a cup. Inside, there may be a question about the Giuliani vote, but none about the band.
A Celia Cruz number is next, warming up for the mayor.
“I feel very at home here because I’ve been in the Cuban-American community for many, many years. I know it well,’’ Giuliani says, taking the stage after 11 am, his words translated into Spanish for the audience.
Commnending the Cuban exile community of Miami, he tells the crowd: "It's a great story. It's a story that is uplifting... You... had to leave Cuba because of a vicious, Communist dictatorship,'' and the audience cheers as those words are interpreted for them.
“Most of you came here with little money in your pocket – OK, I am corrected, with no money in your pocket, because he took it all,’’ he says. “But you brought with you what’s inside your soul, what’s inside the soul of the Cuban…. And no tyrrant, no dictator, no bully, can take that away from you.’’
“People who get the desire for freedom overcome oppression each and every time, and the Cuban-American story is one of those great stories that shows freedom… prevails over oppression.’’
The seniors' center.
Giuliani is standing here with the mayor of Hialeah, Julio Ribera, and says he has spent so much time in that solidly Hispanic enclave that he feels “like a citizen.’’ He’s waiting for his tax bill, he says – hopes it’s lowering.
McCain campaigned on Calle Ocho – Southwest Eighth Street – earlier this week, and he brought with him the three Cuban-American congressmen from Miami, brothers Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
“USA, USA,’’ the crowd starts chanting.
"I'm considered an Italian-American... you know all of the designations,'' he says. "But what's that last name of all of us -- Americans.... We bring with us our different traditions, we bring with us our different foods.''
"This is the best country in the world,'' a woman calls out.
"You make it that way,'' Giuliani replies.
Giuliani tells them that he is no newcomer to their cause.
“When I was mayor of New York, I made sure that Castro was not invited to the 50th anniversary of the United Nations,’’ he says. “Too many people are romanticizing Castro and ignoring the vicious things he did.’’
“Rudy, Rudy, Rudy,’’ they chant -- he loves the Cuban community, one calls out.
"You're right. I love you,'' he says. "Your story is the quintessential American story.''
"Five votes,'' someone calls out.
"Five votes... Is that one person, or five people?'' Giuliani asks. One vote per person, he reminds them. "After all, we're not Democrats.''
"Florida is going to make a difference,'' the mayor tells his audience with an ominous prediction on the way out. "Florida is going to decide the Republican nomnee.''
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Comments
Which one in the picture is Rudy? Is it the women in the middle?
Posted by: bill r. | January 25, 2008 10:55 AM
Even Ghouliani knows he's dead in the water and he's not well liked. Watching him in the debate last night, he couldn't even keep a straight face when he was asked if he had a chance to come out on top. This man is done and he can go back to his gold digging skank. Good riddance to both.
Posted by: jethro | January 25, 2008 10:58 AM
The Cuban embargo is one of the most spectacularly unsuccesful initiatives in foreign policy in the history of the US. We have managed to eliminate all US influence on a country 90 mile from our border, without achieving any balancing goal.
Yet all the candidates feel the need to go pander to this one small group, promising to continue 45 years of abject failure.
How unbelievably stupid.
Posted by: Luke | January 25, 2008 11:11 AM
I thought it was interested that Rudy didn't come out swinging last night. You know like he was actually fighting for something he wanted. Then the commentators noted that if he loses graciously and quietly he can continue raking in money hand over fist with speaking engagements. This man is a filthy, money whore. He cares more about collecting Dead Presidents than being President. You only have to remember him skipping out on the IRAQ STUDY GROUP so he could hit the speaking circuit. What could be more patriotic that volunteering to gain understanding and prevent another bungled invasion? Enriching yourself sure isn't.
Posted by: janet | January 25, 2008 11:14 AM
More gibberish from Dumb Dumb Janet and the Loony Left Talking Point of Giuliani "skipping out" on the Iraq Study Group.
Then we have bill r. I was wondering how many Loons would bring up Rudy in a dress. Do you Loons know that Matt Lauer has worn several dresses on the Today Show too?
Posted by: John D | January 25, 2008 12:22 PM
American politics is in need of major reform. The constant fight among liberal and conservative media outlets is in the end the greatest threat to the American people and unlike any other debate that I have ever seen in my lifetime last nights debate of republican hopefuls unfairly centered their attention to one candidate and the number of questions were not in balance in what most Americans feel was weighted to one candidate. In Great Britain the election process for their Prime Minister is done without the fanfare of American politics and unfortunately for the Democratic and Republican hopefuls money must be raised and in most cases it is to the candidates advantage if they can build a huge warchest. Why can't our country take out all that is wrong with our election process and create a true democratic principle of fairness. I see absolutely nothing wrong with our goverment appropriating equal monies to all of the candidates and it would be up to the respective parties to determine how many candidates they feel are needed to compete for the nomination. Monies of which are appropriated to the candidates can then be used as they see fit regarding their self promotion. The candidates who can better manage their campaigns and provide a compelling argument for their election would be the ones of which would then be elected. Debates would be held and the number would depend upon the most important issues concerning the welfare of the country. For example scedule 6 debates if their are 6 major topics of discussion such as defense, healthcare, national security, immigration, taxes and economy. Upon completion of these debates then schedule the primaries 2 months from the actual date. Inclusive of this proposal the primaries would be scheduled all on the same day. IMHO this would be the fairest way to reform our political system. The media in our country should be prevented from endorsing candidates. Who is to say that we can not decide for ourselves as who better serves the need of all Americans. It is without question that media outlets are not bi-partisan and give their opinions too freely and can certainly tip the balance to one candidate over another. Watching last nights debate was a sad commentary of how only several of the political pundits commented as to who won the debate. Why must we know from their perspective as to won the debate? Americans should be able to decide amongst themselves without the aide of the media as to whould be best to govern the people of the US. Americans should not have to be swayed by the economic pitfalls of ratings and certainly it has become crystal clear that there are media outlets which can unfairly sway the innocent minds of voters for their self serving needs. Perhaps there should be some socialistic values stressed here simply because American politics are no longer seen as being fair and if we continue with the path we are on young Americans who dream of becoming President will no longer have that ambition as most Americans become more delusional simply because it is easier to buy the nomination than to simply earn the nomination. As Chris Mathews smiles and tells us his opinion as to who won I am seething simply because the retakes of the debate are focussing on only one candidate. Surprisingly and proving my point as to how absurd CNBC was in their request from the TV viewers to weigh in with who they thought won the debate by responding via a text message. Those who responded indicated that Mit Romney won the debate after the pundits all agreed with themselves that he had won the debate. Interestingly Ron Paul who had the fewest questions and the least amount of camera time was only one percentage point behind Mit Romney the overwhelming favorite of the CNBC pundits. I rest my case simply because the format of which the media uses is completely self serving. To further illustrate this point in another context lets assume that their are 4 teams left to play in the Super Bowl and the teams that would be playing are the NY Giants, NE Patriots, SanFrancisco 49'rs and Seattle Seahawks. Forget the current team records and who has won past SB's. I can assure you that the media would hope that the final outcome would be San Francisco and New York simply because these two markets represent the greatest economic windfall for the network. Politics is no different and if you watched the debate as I watched it last night it was purely disgraceful that the politcal pundits were already salivating and jockeyeing their position as to which of the candidates would provide better ratings.
Posted by: Rudy Iacono | January 25, 2008 12:52 PM
Rudy is the guy to beat
He can take on all the heat
He is tough , Knows how to lead
in New York, He's seen them bleed.
This video says it all..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RRODJcPq_Js
Posted by: George | January 25, 2008 1:04 PM
"Giuliani learns hear that he will be No. 11 on the local ballot Tuesday, a number that plays prominently on the palm-cards that organizers are handing out to the crowd: Pocket-sized glossy white cards with a photo of a Boeing airliner aloft and painted with the face and name of Rudy Giuliani, No. 11. "El 29 de Enero despegaremos en la Florida Rumbo a 'the White House,' the card reads. (On the 29th, they're sending Rudy to la Casa Blanca.)"
What's this, a Republican using the Spanish language in campaign materials? Where's the outrage form the right about pandering to non-citizens that emenates every time a Democratic candidate campaigns in spanish? Where the demands that these people assimilate?
Oh, that's right, to the Republicans the Cubans are the "good" Hispanics, unlike the mexicans who they claim are destroying America.
Posted by: JT | January 25, 2008 1:11 PM
"I see old people", says Rudy!
Posted by: Janstress | January 25, 2008 2:13 PM
“I feel very at home here because I’ve been in the Cuban-American community for many, many years. I know it well,’’ Giuliani says, taking the stage after 11 am, his words translated into Spanish for the audience.
INTO SPANISH?
These people have been here for decades. And the new ones shouldn't be allowed to vote.
Or does that only apply to Mexicans?
If you leave Cuba to Castro, you ought to adapt to the American language - English. Isn't that what the people on the right preach?
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | January 25, 2008 4:36 PM
FLORIDA IS RUDY COUNTRY
Hmmmmm this here banner....where to start..Something tells me it raps up his rise and fall pretty nicely..
From America's Mayor, to No Longer Loved by His Own State.
Posted by: zoomzoomzoom | January 25, 2008 7:34 PM
Rudy is not warm and fuzzy and it takes a while for him to grow on you. However, I lived in NYC before during and after he was Mayor and he was an absolute miracle worker. NYC was a disaster, crime was rampant, homeless people slept and pissed in my doorway. Graffitti covered every train, prostitution and pornography was all over Times Square. Rudy changed all that, not just statistics but things you could see in everyday quality of life. Property taxes were lowered and he turned a budget deficit into a surplus. By the way I voted and donated money for his opponent Dinkins in 1993, so I'm not a Rudy groupie. He works hard, he's not corrupt, as US attorney he busted up the mob in NYC. Thats what we need in Washington, not Mitt "Flip Flop" Romney not John McCain. Rudy Works!
Posted by: david richard | January 25, 2008 9:12 PM
Bud M,
Cuban Americans; the most powerful small minority in the Milky Way.
Posted by: C.Morris | January 25, 2008 9:29 PM
Rudy can beat Billary and that is what we need to focus on. We need to elect a candidate that can win in November. McCain is the kiss of death, too long in Washington to make any positive changes real. Romney, too much flip flopping. Huckabee, right on the issues but out of gas on the economy, taxes and foreign affairs. Rudy can beat Billary and that is why I support him.
Cuban-Americans have made Miami what it is today, a major city. Sorry for the other jealous groups of immigrants that have been in this country longer and have not been able to leave their mark.
Posted by: mt | January 26, 2008 2:18 PM