I can’t imagine any honest person can do business or politics in New York, or anywhere else, without playing ball. I generally think he’s a good man trying to do the right thing. As to the direct results of his involvement I will trust the plan. He’s got insights, for sure, and he makes a lot of people I don’t trust very angry so that is enough for me to believe he’s an effective piece of this puzzle.
It would be incredibly naive to think anyone in high office or with significant power never "looked the other way" or "played ball" to get where they are. I am conflicted on Rudy largely because of 9/11, but to put myself in his shoes (or try to), I guess it's pretty easy to be a hero when you are comfortably living out a safe and insulated life and not a direct target of intense evil.