COURT-ING A DISASTER WITH BASE (Rooty fails abortion test---status in doubt)

NY POST ^ | May 4, 2007 | JOHN PODHORETZ

[Liz]

.......front-runner Rudy Giuliani may not be the front-runner much longer.........for the most part, his debate performance was lousy. Worse still for him, he was a disaster talking about the very issue he needs to speak most artfully about. That issue, of course, is abortion. Chris Matthews tossed Rudy and the other candidates a softball when he asked what his response would be if he were told that Roe vs. Wade - had been overturned.......All Rudy had to say was that he would believe a constitutional travesty had been overturned and therefore that it would be good day for America. This was a no-brainer. Instead, he offered an answer both intellectually indefensible and politically dense. "It would be OK to repeal it," Rudy said, then quickly added, "It would be OK also if a strict constructionist viewed it as precedent" - the only candidate to say it would be OK. Meaning that he wouldn't mind if Roe were upheld just so long as a conservative justice upheld it. This makes no sense. You either believe a Supreme Court decision should be overturned or you don't. You can't have it both ways. Rudy needs to win the Republican primary, in which the most passionate bloc of voters is pro-life...... His answer last night was insulting to them Rudy did himself harm last night.

[CharlesWayneCT]

There is no right to abortion in the constitution - it is likewise not constitutional to ban partial birth abortion at the federal level (IMHO).

But last night Rudy said a reasonable jurist (one that he would pick) COULD find a right to abortion in the constitution.

And a week ago, Rudy was praising the court for ruling that a federal ban on Partial Birth Abortion WAS constitutional.

So on the two things you said, Rudy opposes your position.

[Liz]

The good ship Juliannie is taking on water and listing left. Only a matter of time until he sleeps with the fishies.

O-o-o-o-o....such a big fishie.

[BlackbirdSST]

The candidates always learn that abortion is, and will always be, the issue that separates the men from the boys.

Good little zinger there Liz. Blackbird.

[LS]

I find it odd that you are criticizing Podhoretz for reporting honestly. Lessee, you would bash him if he continued to SUPPORT Rudy despite a bad performance, but you bash him when he says Rudy performed poorly. The poor guy can't win.

The fact is, Rudy had a pretty good 2-3 months, and now is having a bad month. Stuff happens. I don't think the "good" performance by McClame or Mitt is going to gain them much support, although Rudy's support might fall. All that has happened is that more of the base has gone back into "hope hybernation" waiting for either Fred Thompson or Newt to announce. Then we'll really see where the race stands.

[TommyDale]

I watched the news reporting of this event. They are still trying to give Rudy a "pass" on his flip-flop abortion positions.

[spectre]

"McCain looked old and tired".

That's because he is.

sw

[Little Ray]

Sorry, but Guiliani believes that Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an example of a “strict constructionist” judge and that abortion and gun control are “strict constructionist” positions.

BTW it IS Constitutional to ban partial-birth abortion or even abortion altogether. Under the 5th Amendment you may not be deprived of life without due process of law. Define the kid as alive (pretty easy for partial birth abortion...) and “presto!” they’re protected under the 5th Amendment.

[azhenfud]

I believe Podhoretz won’t be the only celeb conservative moving away from Giuliani when the true Rudy color begins to leech back through.

I believe many will come to realize that although Giuliani was right for NYC and “conservative” by NYC’s standards - he’s just not the right conservative for the rest of the Union. I believe Olsen will be in that group.

[George W. Bush]

So much for Rooty's Big Plan to kick social conservatives off the Repub Party lifeboat; in fact, Rooty is the one who looked seasick, bobbing and weaving on the Reagan Library deck.

He looked seasick on the bridge of the S.S. California, home of RINO Republicans. If he can't be straightforward there, imagine how he'll play in the real South (not those handpicked venues in SC where he's been so far). And Hitlery and Obama and Edwards are increasing their lead over him in NY polling. And even nutcase Bloomberg, his protege, is outpolling him as a mayor and as a potential president in NYC.

Gee, Liz, I'm soooooo surprised that the Rudester didn't win you over. LOL!

[alicewonders]

Rudy’s performance last night at the debate was one of the worst I’ve ever seen a candidate give. I can’t stand him - but I was SHOCKED at how badly he did. I figured he’d be all slick and have polished, pat answers ready - but he looked like he hadn’t even thought he would be asked about abortion.

And this is supposed to be the ONLY guy that can win?

[Fresh Wind]

Agreeing to allow Chris Matthews to moderate the debate? Insanity.

Perhaps, but it's a fact that any Republican that gets elected is going to have to suffer with the Chrissy's of the world for his entire term of office. It's instructive to see how the various candidates deal with it. Bush has pretty much consistently rolled over when the Drive By's attacked him.

I really want someone in office who will stand up to their lies and distortions.

[Condor51]

The USS Rooty is taking water and sinking fast.

(Rooty) "What The heck is going on????
(Captain) "You ran head on into the abortion issue "

(Rooty) ('dam those conservatives!!')

Man the lifeboats Rudybots!
Women, children, gays and cross-dressers first.

[Liz]

..... Podhoretz won’t be the only celeb moving away from Giuliani when the true Rudy color begins to leech back through.......

NRO's Byron York Posted:.......the debate candidate who helped himself the most was former Gov. Huckabee........he gave a simple and straightforward account of some of GWB's mistakes in Iraq......“Clearly there was a real error in judgment, and that primarily had to do with listening to a lot of folks who were civilians in suits and silk ties and not listening enough to the generals with mud and blood on their boots and medals on their chest..........."

REST HERE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1828233/posts?page=6

Go ask Podheretz---he knows who those "civilians in suits and silk ties" are---Poddie lunches with them often.

[Alberta's Child]

Romney's biggest weakness is that he's a former Massachusetts governor. I have serious doubts about anyone who was appealing enough to the voters of that radical left-wing state to win an election there.

Having said that, I wouldn't go out on a limb now and say I'd never vote for him. But he really isn't my top candidate for 2008.

[Condor51]

;-)

[Liz]

Whenever abortion came up, Rooty looked like he would rather be eating a burrito.

[Liz]

Rudy’s performance last night at the debate was one of the worst I’ve ever seen a candidate give......this is supposed to be the ONLY guy that can win?.............

As of last night..........no.

[Alberta's Child]

I’ll be honest - I like Mr. G. because underneath it all he’s mean. The other candiates either cant win or are crazy or are not tough enough to take on the democrats. That’s the problem with our current president. He’s too nice.

I hate to break this to you, but Mr. Giuliani isn't likely to "take on the Democrats" at all. He agrees with them on about 75%-80% of the issues, and if he were sitting in the White House right now he'd likely be demonstrating his "toughness" (a laughable description if I ever heard one) by taking on Republicans.

[Condor51]

**** I wish we hadn’t banned so many Rudy people, it would have been fun to watch them try to explain this. They would have needed all new quotes from Simon and Olson. :-) ****

They're all probably having a 'group hug' over at you know where.

(ps: IMO, good riddance.)

[TommyDale]

ROTFLMBO!