The Daily Background

As Mayor of New York City in 1996, Rudy Giuliani was against making English an “official” language. Here’s a vintage excerpt from the New York Times discussing a proposed law that would make English the “official” language in New York county:

The law would be the first of its kind in a New York county. Twenty-three states, 41 counties and 15 cities have passed similar measures, and a bill recognizing English as the official national language has been passed by the House of Representatives. A similar measure was defeated in Suffolk in 1989.

In New York City, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani has consistently opposed such measures. Earlier this month, he remarked, “There’s no reason to pass a bill like this except, maybe, to exclude people, insult people or offend people.”

In Tuesday night’s Republican debate, Giuliani signaled his support for making English the “official” language of the United States. When CNN host Wolf Blitze asked the Republican candidates if any of them objected to making English the “official” language of the United States, Giuliani was silent. Watch the video:

BLITZER: The other night, Sunday night, I asked the eight Democratic presidential candidates whether or not they thought English should be the official language of the United States. Only one of them said English should be the official language of the United States.

If there’s someone here who doesn’t believe English should be the official language of the United States, please speak up right now.

MCCAIN: I think it’s fine.

[…]

BLITZER: I see people raising their hands.

But the question was, I’d only like those to speak up who believes that English should not necessarily be the official language of the United States.

Is there anyone else who stands with Senator McCain specifically on that question?

All right. We’re going to go back to Scott.

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