Guiliani on Abortion: His Record Not as Bad as You Might Think

National Review ^ | January 22, 2007 | Deroy Murdock

[Senator Goldwater]

As pro-lifers mark the 34th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, many wonder whether they could support Rudolph W. Giuliani for president despite his pro-choice views. While Giuliani’s statements on abortion make pro-lifers fret, they should find his record surprisingly reassuring.

“I don’t like abortion,” Giuliani said last November. “I don’t think abortion is a good thing. I think we ought to find some alternative to abortion, and that there ought to be as few as possible.”

But did Giuliani’s mayoral deeds match such words?

According to the state Office of Vital Statistics, total abortions performed in New York City between 1993 (just before Giuliani arrived) and 2001 (as he departed) fell from 103,997 to 86,466 — a 16.86 percent decrease. This upended a 10.32 percent increase over the course of the eight years before Giuliani, with 1985 witnessing 94,270 abortions.

What about Medicaid-financed abortions? Under Giuliani, such taxpayer-funded feticides dropped 22.85 percent, from 45,006 in 1993 to 34,722 in 2001.

The abortion ratio also slid from 890 terminations per 1,000 live births in 1993 to 767 in 2001, a 13.82 percent tail-off. This far outpaced the 2.84 percent reduction from 1985’s ratio of 916 to 1993’s 890. While abortions remained far more common in Gotham than across America (2001’s U.S. abortion ratio was 246), they diminished during Giuliani’s tenure, as they did nationally.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that U.S. abortions fell from 1,330,414 in 1993 to 853,485 in 2001, a 35.85 percent decrease. Professor New finds that 1993’s 1,001,769 abortions waned to 853,485 in 2001, a 14.8 percent fall-off.

“So, in percentage terms,” New adds, “the decline in abortions in New York City under Giuliani was greater than the national decline.”

[Senator Goldwater]

The numbers don't lie.

[narses]

I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-gay rights, Giuliani said. He was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortions. “No, I have not supported that, and I don’t see my position on that changing,” he responded. Source: CNN.com, “Inside Politics” Dec 2, 1999 http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Rudy_Giuliani_Abortion.htm

ANDERSON COOPER 360 DEGREES (November 14, 2006)

RUDY GIULIANI (R), FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: I'm pro- choice. I'm pro-gay rights.

KING: Giuliani supports a woman's right to an abortion, and back in 1999, he opposed a federal ban on late-term abortions.

GIULIANI: No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing.

KING: Immigration could be another presidential landmine. Back in 1996, Mayor Giuliani went to federal court to challenge new federal laws requiring the city to inform the federal government about illegal immigrants.

JEFFREY: He took the side of illegal immigrants in New York City against the Republican Congress.

KING: Giuliani opposes same-sex marriage but as mayor, he supported civil unions and extending health and other benefits to gay couples. He also supported the assault weapons ban and other gun control measures opposed by the National Rifle Association.

GIULIANI: I'm in favor of gun control. I'm pro-choice.

Republican Big-Wigs Support Pro-Abortion Event in NY

Pro-abortion Governor George Pataki and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also supports unrestricted abortion, are co-chairs of the 2000 Choice Award Presentation to be held on May 30 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. The event is sponsored by the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition, a group that is campaigning for the removal of the pro-life plank from the Republican National Platform.


http://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock200503010743.asp

[BunnySlippers]

[BunnySlippers]

[proxy_user]

He certainly leads all the Republican candidates in numbers of disgusting vagrants arrested and taken to jail under his orders.

Whether that will appeal to voters in the presidential race, I cannot say.

[BW2221]

This is at least the third time the pro-Rudy supporters have run this article on FR.

Giuliani supports partial birth abortion. Enough said.

[trek]

It must be election season. We are being told that despite what we see with our own eyes all the liberal Republicans are actually conservative.

[narses]

[Nevernow]

Bill Clinton was also supposed to reduce abortions in America while still being prochoice.

I don't buy it. As a mayor in New York, Giuliani didn't assign judges. As POTUS, he may have to. And when he does, I don't see how his record on social issues would lead him to appoint a constructionist.

[Calpernia]

ba da bump

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1687307/posts?page=4#4

Thru

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1687307/posts?page=37#37

[BW2221]

Let's vote for the most Democratic-like candidate who the polls say has the best chance of winning ... even though the victory will be meaningless for conservatives and will return control of the GOP to "Rockefeller Republicans."

Makes a lot of sense to me/ sarc.

[Tax-chick]

Obviously you think we're stupid. That's boring. Rude, too.

[Revolting cat!]

What, Julie Annie didn't have an abortion herself?

[BearArms]

It must be election season. We are being told that despite what we see with our own eyes all the liberal Republicans are actually conservative.

I was just thinking exactly the same thing.

[APFel]

MMmmmmm... Softsoap.

My mother once washed out my mouth with Softsoap after I said a bad word. I would have preferred the bar soap. The Softsoap was terrible.

APf

[Calpernia]

What do you think he did with all the homeless people?


:)

[af_vet_1981]

I would rather have Giuliani than Clinton. My choice in the primary will probably be Gingrich or Hunter. I will support any Republican nominee against any Democrat nominee. We will wistfully remember when we had George W. Bush in the WH.

[Nevernow]

I would rather Giuliani too...

But I refuse to believe that it's either one or the other. If it is...I'll lose all faith in the American people.

[Washi]

Doesn't matter. Obama will be president in 2008.

[Calpernia]

I'ld rather have the evil elf then Obama.