Rudy starting to come out swinging.

Giuliani’s “Good Day New York” appearance on Thursday featured a very different Rudy than we’ve seen in previous months.  In stark contrast to his maddening complacency of January, Thursday’s appearance was that of, if not a serious contender, then at least of somebody who is deeply disurbed by recent events in Albany and fiercely determined to see real leadership again.  And — laughing vagueries aside — Giulani did indeed seem like a candidate.

“I don’t think anybody’s handling the situation right now. It’s one of these things where I think everybody gets blamed for it. The reality is they’re in a state of confusion, and they can’t seem to even have enough ability to reach some kind of bipartisan conclusion about leadership. And it would seem to me that that’s probably what’s wrong with the state’ right now: A lack of leadership.”

So the question is, has Rudy been — and is he still — biding his time?  Has he been waiting for a total meltdown in Albany; for unelected governor Paterson’s utter failure to be so complete that — excuse me — even a blind man could see the writing on the wall?

But whatever the case, this is the Rudy I’ve hoped to see since December.  The guy I’ve been begging for since January.  Somebody who will call out the hack politicians in Albany — all of them — and start demanding real leadership.  Somebody who will tell these idiots that normal New Yorkers don’t give half a damn about the political aspirations or petty differences of senators who have already forgotten where they came from.  We want lower taxes and a workable budget involving real, substantial cuts. 

Rudy knows this, and now he’s saying it.  Welcome to the party, Rudy.