Rudy Giuliani is a coward. Oh sure, he’ll talk about his leadership and bravery in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, but when he’s grovelling for votes the Rudy is all quisling. More than willing to throw friends under the bus. Even if those same friends let him stay in their place for 6 months during Giuliani’s very public divorce.

Howard Koeppel and Mark Hsiao tied the knot this week-end in Connecticut (congrats to them!). Giuliani and his significant other Judith Nathan (she was the reason for his public divorce) got an invite, but a secretary called on Thursday sending the regrets of America’s Mayor. We all know the Rudy man is mining the base of the GOP for support for a possible run as New York governor, and attending the wedding of two gay men who took you into their home is toxic. Oh it’s cheap and lowdown but Rudy is a pol and that is how they do (even the pols you like); I get that. But having a secretary make the call? Is Rudy scared of a phone? Worried about the attack ad some fundie will support?

If Giuliani responds to this kerfuffle, he’ll blame the media. Say how liberals really hate righteous men like him standing up for standards and marriage (yes the three time wed Rudy G will describe himself as righteous). This is a good tactic because it takes attention away from what really happened.

He stayed for months with the couple in their $2.37 million dollar Manhattan home and invited the men to his wedding to Judith Nathan, the “other woman” who led to his divorce.

That was when the mayor was appearing in drag at an LGBT rights event and touting his support for gay issues.

But now that Giuliani is making noises about a possible GOP run for governor, he isn’t quite so gay positive, even criticizing Democratic Gov. David Paterson for pushing a marriage equality bill. Giuliani said that he would support civil unions.

So when Koeppel and Hsaio were married over the weekend in Connecticut, their old pal was a no-show.

“Rudy and Judith were both invited with a beautiful written invitation by mail,” Koeppel told The New York Post.

But on Thursday, Giuliani had an aide call to say he would not be there.

The couple said the snub did not spoil their wedding.

“I danced at his wedding with [his wife] Judith [Nathan], and it would have been nice if he’d danced at mine,” Koeppel told The Post, adding, “I understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. If he decides to run for governor . . . he’s a Republican, and he’s taking a Republican stand” on same-sex marriage.

Last time we heard from “America’s Mayor” Rudy Giuliani, he was explaining why his bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nominee was such a joke. Now there is buzz he might put his hat in for the top political gig in New York. Ahhh, but the Rudy is being smart this time. For this possible run he’s making sure his social conservative peers understand how shocked and appalled he is by this gay marriage thing.

The guy who has walked down the aisle three times (a cheap shot I know but Rudy brings my pettiness out), is giving Gov. David Paterson grief for pushing gay marriage in the Empire State.

“Marriage, I believe, both traditionally and legally, has always been between a man and a woman and should remain between a man and woman,” said the guy who let the wife of his children know about their separation via a press conference (another low blow, but I haven’t had any coffee).

This antipathy toward gay marriage has given Rudy the respect and love of social conservatives who ran away from him in the Republican primary.

“Good for Rudy for having the courage to speak up now for marriage as the union of husband and wife,” said Maggie Gallagher, the woman who seems unable to stay away from hyperbole when talking about wedding bells for gay couples. “Thank you for breaking through the media spin: Marriage is good for the GOP, good for America.”

However, there is nothing ever easy in Rudy land. He knocks gay marriage, then says he is all about civil unions. Even makes the point his position is no different from the guy in the White House right now. All fair but no Republican is going to get votes by pushing civil unions or gay rights. That is not the bloodline of the GOP (the Democrats have a losuy house also when it comes to that, but that is for another time). You would think his beat down in the primary would have shown that to Rudy.

Now that we can see the finishing line, I’ll turn back to poll watching. Today’s daily tracking by Rasmussen Reports is bound to bring a smile to any Obama partisan and keep McCain fans cranky.  For some reason I doubt these figures.

Rudy has jumped all over Obama’s “present” votes when he was in the Illinois legislature. And the crowd is yelling zero to signify Obama’s lack of executive skills.

Compared to last night, the crowd is reved up and ready to go. However, here is the strange part, or maybe not so strange. During the whole evening George Bush’s name has not been mentioned once.

Rudy is having the time of his life. And he is pandering.

Rudy Giuliani is delusional. The former mayor of New York, who ran an anemic campaign for the GOP presidential nod, had this to say about John McCain’s future running mate:

“I know John McCain. I know his seriously, his love of country…He will choose the best person, and if that person happens to be, among other things, pro-choice, the party will support that.”

If McCain wants to win, he should put his hands over his ears whenever Rudy G. opens his mouth. Yes there are pro-choice folk in the GOP, but they are in the minority. And look at the most recent primary. All of the candidates with a liberal record on abortion are now on the sidelines, even though they did their best to act like they were anti-choice.

Sure a pro-choice vp running mate would give McCain tons of buzz and probably an increase in support from political independents, but it would shatter his base, and most of these folk are lukewarm to McCain anyway. Heck folk are warning him to stay away from tinkering with the Republican abortion plank and from all accounts it looks like McCain is listening. Trying to transform the abortion debate in the GOP would prove McCain’s “maverick” status, but in the process he would lose the election.