The Social Salon: America's Mayor, America's President? May 16, 2007

A thoughtful discussion about Rudolph Giuliani and the Presidency with Robert Polner
Where can you go to have a good civilized conversation about interesting topics with people you don't necessarily know and with whom you may not agree?

We're excited to present our next speaker, Robert Polner, a former political reporter for Newsday and the editor of "America's Mayor, America's President: The Strange Career of Rudy Giuliani." The book's second edition - revised and expanded - was published in May, 2007 by Soft Skull Publishers. Last year he co-authored "Three Men in a Room," an insider's account of power in Albany.
Though New York City's crime rate was at historic lows and its economy was riding high, Rudy Giuliani was an unpopular mayor on 9/10/2001, his once-soaring political career seemingly over. It wasn't hard to imagine that one day he would appear as a familiar but not quite identifiable face in a commercial, saying: "Do you know me? I carry the American Express card." But 9/11 changed everything. It resurrected his political career, and now, with Republicans struggling to find their voice, he is among the top three contenders for the presidential nomination, if not the White House itself. This may be difficult for many New Yorkers to ponder, let alone imagine, but what kind of president would he be?
Polner, a Pulitzer Prize winner and recipient of two Associated Press awards for reporting, will present his viewpoints and read excerpts from the essays and reporting in his book. Following that, discussion on all sides of this issue will be welcomed. Brad Hamilton, crime and court reporter for the New York Post, will moderate.
Currently, Polner is a communications officer for New York University and its Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. He lives with his wife and daughter here in the city.
"When it comes time for voters to judge Rudolph Giuliani's fitness for national office, this book will be the essential dossier."
-- John R. MacArthur, Publisher of Harper's Magazine

When: Wednesday, May 16th, 7 p.m. to 10-ish
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
RSVP: [email protected], or to pay in advance: http://www.thesocialsalon.com

Official Website: http://www.TheSocialSalon.com