I don't think he'll go back on his word on judges. It's just that the problem is he thinks he's a strict constructionist, and his judges would be just like him.
Posted on 04/10/2007 3:30:08 PM PDT by Spiff
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 9, 2007
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Rudy Giuliani's problems with his position on abortion continued into this week after he told CNN last week that he supported taxpayer-funded abortions and then promptly backed away from the comments.
On Monday, Giuilani adviser Bill Simon wrote a letter to National Review Online, a prominent conservative magazine and tried to defend Giuliani's record.
He cited research from University of Alabama professor Michael New, who is one of the most highly regarded analysts of the effect of abortion laws on reducing the number of abortions.
Simon told NR that abortions in New York City under Giuilani declined at a rate greater than the national average at the time adding that "Abortions declined by 16.8 percent in New York City during the Giuliani administration."
However, the magazine's editors rebutted Simon saying that Professor New also wrote that “I cannot attribute this decline to any actual policy Giuliani implemented.”
They also pointed out that "New York City’s abortion rate had a long way to fall: Even after its decline, it remained much higher than the national average. Should Mayor Giuliani get credit for that fact as well?"
Simon tells NR that "Rudy Giuliani has repeatedly said that he will not seek to change current law as described in the Hyde Amendment" but the editors doubt the sincerity of the former mayor's views.
"That a Republican candidate for president promises not to push for federal funding of elective abortion is far from the bare minimum he could do. Will he promise a veto if the Democratic Congress sends such legislation his way?" they wrote in response.
Simon also defended Giuliani on judges saying that "Giuliani would appoint strict-constructionist judges who will follow in the philosophical footsteps of Justices Thomas, Alito, and Scalia, and Chief Justice Roberts."
However, NR pointed to the Wednesday CNN interview during which Giuliani said a conservative judge could come to the conclusion that Roe v. Wade was a long enough precedent that it couldn't be overturned.
"Giuliani has (gratuitously) noted that, in his view, keeping Roe on the books is perfectly compatible with strict constructionism," the NR editors said in response.
Simon concluded that he is pro-life and he and Giuliani may not agree on the issue of abortion entirely but that the ex-mayor respects his position.
NR countered that Giuliani has misrepresented the views of the pro-life community by accusing it of wanting to put women in jail who have had abortions.
"Does Simon’s pro-life commitment amount to a desire to put pregnant women in jail? If not, perhaps he should advise the mayor to stop representing that policy as the pro-life position," they said.
"On abortion, Giuliani and his campaign need to engage in less spin and more thinking," they concluded.
Who was that kook last night who actually said that by federally funding abortions, the number of abortions would be reduced because only the poor have to have abortions?
So, what are the odds that he does the exact same thing (goes back on his word) with what he said about selecting judges.
This man has demonstrated to me beyond a question that he can not be trusted to keep his word.
“I cannot attribute this decline to any actual policy Giuliani implemented.”
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
The Rudy bots just don’t seem to understand that this man is damaged goods beyond the limit of rational people to accept in the general election.
Even many of Giuliani’s strongest supporters have qualms about his view on abortion.
But rudy always mentions it like it was something he did.
It’s clear that Rudy doesn’t think he needs real conservatives to get elected. That’s great pal— we don’t need you either with your ultra liberal ways. Good luck in the primaries (not).
NARAL will be thrilled their boy did nothing to cut into franchise profits.
LOL
If those qualms someday blossom into principles, perhaps they'll vote for a conservative.
> But rudy always mentions it like it was something he did.
Naturally. Taking credit for something you didn’t do is yet another piece of evidence that he’s completely morally bankrupt. (as if you needed another piece after his philandering and public divorce, flouncing around in a dress, and being to the left of Hitlery on pretty much every social issue)
These politicians think that they can impose their ideology and moral will on the people....and we just have to accept it.
Think again!
Can't have it both ways. Rudy has been a life long pro-abortion liberal.
[GEORGE] WILL: Is your support of partial birth abortion firm?
Mayor GIULIANI: All of my positions are firm. I have strong viewpoints. I express them. And I--I do not think that it makes sense to be changing your position....
ABC News February 6, 2000
TUCHMAN: Giuliani was then asked whether he supports a ban on what critics call partial-birth abortions, something Bush strongly supports.
GIULIANI: No, I have not supported that, and I don't see my position on that changing.
- CNN December 2, 1999
MR. RUSSERT: A banning of late-term abortions, so-called partial-birth abortions--you're against that?
MAYOR GIULIANI: I'm against it in New York, because in New York...
MR. RUSSERT: Well, if you were a senator, would you vote with the president or against the president? [Note: President Clinton was in office in 2000]
MAYOR GIULIANI: I would vote to preserve the option for women. I think that choice is a very difficult one. It's a very, very--it's one in which people of conscious have very, very different opinions. I think the better thing for America to do is to leave that choice to the woman, because it affects her probably more than anyone else....
MR. RUSSERT: So you won't change your view on late-term abortion in order to get the Conservative Party endorsement?
MAYOR GIULIANI: It isn't just that. We shouldn't limit this to one issue. I'm generally not going to change my views
- NBC Meet the Press, February 6, 2000
He beats Hillary on most social issues.
If we were setting out to nominate a candidate with a great stand as a liberal...he would get my vote.
You just have to love Americas most liberal Republican.
Let me say this: I do not want Giuliani to win the nomination for the Republican candidate for President. Right now I am hoping that Fred Thompson runs, and wins.
That being said, I do respect Giuliani, and I am grateful he thinks enough like me to be a Republican rather than a Democrat. I certain cannot see any indication that he thinks that he doesn't need conservative Republicans (that would be foolish beyond degree), but I think it is also foolish to say that we don't need him. Rudy is too liberal for me, but he is not an "ultra liberal."
If he should win the nomination, or be asked to run as VP, he will have my vote in the general election. No third party candidate has a chance to win, and we must defeat whomever the Democrats put forth!
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