Rudy Giuliani Interviewed At Length Prior To Salt Lake Fundraiser (Pro Choice is in constitution)

KUTV Salt Lake City ^ | 3/30/2007 | Unknown

[flashbunny]

Sorry, no full transcript available for this. However, I pulled out a few quotes on abortion and his belief in being a "strict constructionist" that are relevant.

In the beginning of the interview:

"I would appoint judges who are strict constructionists, because that's my view of the constitution and how it has to be interpreted."

When asked about abortion, his response includes this gem:

"My view of the constitution is that you have to leave that ultimate choice to a person."

Then he reiterates his promise on judges:

"I would appoint judges who are strict constructionists who would try to construe the constitution based on what it means, not what they would like it to mean."

[flashbunny]

At first glance it seems like the usual boilerplate Giuliani talking points. But when you examine what he's really saying, the truth comes out.

First, he calls himself a 'strict constructionist'.

Then when asked about abortion, he says that the right to abortion choice is in the constitution. (Remember, he also told George Will that believed Roe v Wade was good constitutional law.)

Then we get to him restating his 'strict constructionist' judges promise: "I would appoint judges who are strict constructionists who would try to construe the constitution based on what it means, not what they would like it to mean."

There's really no other way to interpret this all when you put it together. Rudy the 'strict constructionist' believes the constitution means there is a right to abortion. If he's going to appoint 'strict constructionist' judges, are those judges going to be ones who believe the right to an abortion is in the constitution, or people who don't think it's in there?

[keepitreal]

I doubt any strict constructionist of the law would ever use the term penumbra to find some non-enumerated right, a la Roe.

[flashbunny]

Some more ammo to counter the spin coming from the rudy camp on abortion & judges.

[dodger]

YIKES!!! All he has to say & believe is that it is properly a Legislative, not a Judicia, issue. Ugh.

[Marine Inspector]

What a putz!

[TommyDale]

Hmmm...I can’t seem to locate the part of the Constitution that covers the right to an abortion. Can someone from the Giuliani camp please help me locate that phrase, clause or amendment? /sarcasm

[JHBowden]

Giuliani is dead wrong on this.

Whether one is pro-choice, or pro-life, or some position in between, abortion belongs to the states per the 10th amendment.

The Due Process Clause of the 14th amendment, which is supposed to justify Roe v Wade, does not grant the right to crack open your kid’s skull and vacuum her brains out. It was intended to secure rights for former slaves.

[ex-snook]

A candidate who fails in decisions in his life about marriage partners is not qualified to make decisions for our life. His homeland security secretary choice Bernard Kerik, now facing felony charges, confirms that.

[garv]

I’m shocked, shocked I tell you. Just because until two months ago Giuliani wouldn’t have recognized a strict constructionist if it bit him on the butt was no reason to believe he was pandering to conservatives.

[flashbunny]

“Whether one is pro-choice, or pro-life, or some position in between, abortion belongs to the states per the 10th amendment.”

Exactly. As the constitution is written, it is a state’s right issue. If you want to make the country outlaw abortion or make abortion a constitutional right, you need to go through the amendment process. To do otherwise demeans the constitution.

With this view of the constitution, and him thinking it’s a “strict constructionist” view, the chances of Rudy appointing a judge who will return this issue to the states are nil.

[NormsRevenge]

you have to leave that ultimate choice to a person.

—

a person?

the mother, the father , the judge, the pastor?

[nickcarraway]

"My view of the constitution is that you have to leave that ultimate choice to a person."

Unless it's a gun.

[alicewonders]

Rudy the 'strict constructionist' believes the constitution means there is a right to abortion. If he's going to appoint 'strict constructionist' judges, are those judges going to be ones who believe the right to an abortion is in the constitution, or people who don't think it's in there?

BINGO! Rudy has been playing conservatives for fools all along! He's never had any intention of doing anything to help overturn Roe v Wade. He is using semantics to get people's votes. In other words, he would say anything to get elected. People like that are very scary.

Please, people - please examine what this man is really saying - he is not what the Republicans need to win in 2008. He is a fraud. He is such a disaster waiting to happen that I will take any opportunity to shoot him down. I will always speak out against him & hope that I can convince anyone - anyone - please do not vote for this man. He is the worst thing that could happen to the Republican party.

[stevestr]

Than abortion should be made illegal by every state.

[Mr. Brightside]

What a moron.

If he is the best the Republicans can do next year, I probably won’t be good enough for me.

[Spiff]

There's really no other way to interpret this all when you put it together. Rudy the 'strict constructionist' believes the constitution means there is a right to abortion. If he's going to appoint 'strict constructionist' judges, are those judges going to be ones who believe the right to an abortion is in the constitution, or people who don't think it's in there?

I think that his statements together finally make it abundantly clear, even to the most thick-headed Rudytard, what Giuliani actually means when he speaks of the type of "strict constructionist" judges he would appoint. Some of us knew what he was all about all along. Some people are quite dense and need things spelled out for them. Giuliani just did that.

[Mr. Brightside]

you have to leave that ultimate choice to a person.

—

a person?

the mother, the father , the judge, the pastor?

Let's leave the choice up to the baby.

[flashbunny]

That would be the right of the states to do so.

[garv]

I have this strange feeling that the emergency phones are ringing at Deroy Murdock’s and Sean Hannity’s houses.

[NormsRevenge]

Unfortunately, The baby, fetus, embryo doesn’t have standing in court of law.