Giuliani's Ties to Big Boys in Texas - Will it Help Him or Hurt Him?

Rudy Giuliani always speaks like he has been around the block; like he knows a thing or two; like he is trusting and compassionate; he speaks like someone you would want as your neighbor - kind, educated, a lawyer, former mayor of the big Apple - what a package! There is only one problem. If you are at all concerned with issues like global warming, creating alternative fuels, and stopping good 'ole boy payola politics, then you might want to read about the new neighborhood Rudy Giuliani hangs in with his buddies at his Texas law firm, Bracewell & Giuliani, formerly Bracewell & Patterson.

A Look at Giuliani's Texas Campaign Contributions

Rudy Giuliani is impressive to someone since he raised $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 toward his Republican presidential campaign. Giuliani has gained support from Texans who also contributed hefty amounts to President (and former Governor) George Bush. One of those donors is Richard D. Kinder, a former Enron president. Giuliani received $89,000 from partners and employees of his Texas law firm Bracewell & Giuliani, which he joined just two years ago. The firm's managing partner, Patrick C. Oxford, is a noted Bush fund-raiser with ties to Republicans having deep pockets from the oil, gas, and energy industries. Several Bracewell & Giuliani clients, and employees of industries that have ties to the law firm have contributed more than $400,000 to the campaign so far.

According to reports, Bracewell hired Giuliani to start a New York office for the firm, and Giuliani says himself that he has little to do with the operations of the firm in Texas. In a report to The New York Times on May 2, 2007, Mr. Oxford, who is now the chairman of Giuliani's national campaign committee, claims that the Bracewell firm played no role in getting contributions from the energy industry. According to Oxford, executives from these firms were contributing to Giuliani because of the "Texas Loves Rudy" message. Giuliani did hold a fund-raiser in, where else? - Houston, home of Bracewell & Giuliani, of course.

A Look at the Former Bracewell & Patterson