Rudy Giuliani in Money, Power, Politics, by Joyce Purnick

On Environment: Reclaimed Times Square from decades of filth

But the mayor remained a factor. He had tamed crime and welfare payments. Even Times Square shed its filth after decades of futile reclamation projects. Its comeback spanning 3 mayoral administrations and 2 decades was hardly Giuliani's doing, but he was in charge when it arrived and got considerable credit. The "ungovernable" city was turning downright genteel--a stunning transformation from the decaying late 1970s and 1980s.

On Principles & Values: After 9/11, sought term-limit extension of three months

Giuliani rose from his lame-duck torpor to become "America's Mayor." Despite his sudden stardom, Rudy was on his way out of City Hall, the first mayoral victim of the term-limits law. Or was he? One day after the inconclusive primary, Giuliani threw the 3 remaining candidates a curve. He thought he should remain mayor longer than the law allowed, to manage the tragedy and guide the city toward recovery.

Giuliani pondered a number of scenarios, finally coming up with a plan to stay in office an extra 3 months. The governor and state legislature would have to agree, and so would the candidates. The election could be held as scheduled, but a successor would not take the oath until April 1, 2002. Giuliani's gambit to extend his reign eventually died. State legislators balked.

On Principles & Values: OpEd: actually governed the supposedly ungovernable city

Giuliani gave NY a needed slap in the face, actually governing the supposedly ungovernable city. He went after crime, improved the quality of life, ruthlessly reduced the welfare rolls. But he had no patience for civil liberties or the First Amendment, damaged race relations with his unrelenting ferocity, was constantly attacking someone or something and governed with strict top-down discipline that discourages creativity. He played with patronage appointments and repelled the public with his messy personal life.

By September 10, 2001, just 42% of the people said they would give him a 3rd term if the 2-term limit law did not prevent it. Only his grit in the weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Center salvaged his reputation.