Goombah, I'm actually glad that Rudy never ran against Hillary for Senate. First of all, it kept him in NYC where he was desperately needed in 2001. Second, I don't think he would have made a very good Senator. The man's an executive. Governor, Mayor, but I can't picture him in the House or Senate.

You can support Rudy or not, but he and Pataki were a united front in the aftermath of September 11th, and it was a front of leadership, calm, and a little bit of "up yours", which was the exact blend that was needed. Remember, they not only dealt with the attacks and the aftermath, but also the anthrax cases.

You can see what good leadership produces during a tragedy, and what bad leadership produces. Just look at New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina, where both the governor and the mayor couldn't find their own asses with two hands and a flashlight.