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Giuliani gave to Planned Parenthood
The Politico ^ | May 7, 2007 | Jonathan Martin

Posted on 05/07/2007 5:25:31 PM PDT by madprof98

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in his campaign appearances this year has stated that he personally abhors abortion, even though he supports keeping a legal right to choose. But records show that in the '90s he contributed money at least six times to Planned Parenthood, one of the country's leading abortion rights groups and its top provider of abortions.

Federal tax returns made public by the former New York mayor show that he and his then-wife, Donna Hanover, made personal donations to national, state and city chapters of Planned Parenthood totaling $900 in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999.

The returns have been on the public record for years, but the detail about Giuliani's support for Planned Parenthood -- along with e-mailed copies of the returns -- was provided to The Politico by aides to a rival campaign, who insisted on not being identified.

Giuliani's old contributions could echo throughout the 2008 GOP nomination battle, as he seeks to lessen the political impact of his support for abortion rights -- an unpopular position among the social conservatives who in recent elections have weighed decisively in the primaries and caucuses. The issue was raised anew at last week's debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, when Giuliani gave a noncommittal answer to the question of whether it would be a good day for the country if Roe v. Wade were overturned.

"It'd be OK," Giuliani responded, adding that it would also be all right if the Supreme Court decided the other way.

On the campaign trail, Giuliani has a consistent mantra when the abortion issue comes up. "I'm against abortion. I hate it. I wish there never was an abortion, and I would counsel a woman to have an adoption instead of an abortion," Giuliani said last month in Columbia, S.C., in a typical comment.

He also frequently notes that, during his tenure as mayor, the number of abortions went down in New York City and that, as president, he would appoint "strict constructionist judges," a description meant to reassure social conservatives.

Asked how Giuliani could reconcile personal opposition to abortion with a contribution to Planned Parenthood, a Giuliani spokeswoman reiterated the former mayor's stump message and took what could be construed as a shot against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has recently become an opponent of abortion rights.

"Mayor Giuliani has been consistent in his position -- he is personally opposed to abortion, but at the same time he understands it is a personal and emotional decision that should ultimately be left up to the woman," said Maria Comella.

Comella added that, "from the start, Mayor Giuliani has been straight with the American people about where he stands on the issues and saying exactly what he thinks.

"Ultimately, this election is about leadership, and it's a sign of leadership to stand by your position in the face of political expediency."

Giuliani's bid will test how far an abortion-rights politician can advance within the GOP. Every Republican nominee since 1980 has opposed abortion.

Opposition researchers for other candidates hope to make Giuliani's life more difficult at regular intervals -- and to help them out, they have a trove of video clips and quotes from Giuliani's time in City Hall showing him to be a vocal advocate of abortion rights.

For example, in 2001, appearing at a NARAL/Pro-Choice America luncheon, he voiced the conservative case for abortion rights, arguing that it "might be more consistent with the philosophy of the Republican Party.

"Because the Republican Party stands for the idea that you have to restore more freedom of choice, more opportunity, more opportunity for people to make their own choices rather than the government dictating those choices," said Giuliani.

Told of Giuliani's contributions to Planned Parenthood, Clemson University political science professor Dave Woodard said, "If he actually gave money to Planned Parenthood, boy, that puts him in a very precarious position, at least in the South Carolina Republican Party."

A Republican, Woodard noted that a personal contribution is something that is difficult to explain away to abortion opponents. "This isn't something like where your position is misunderstood," he said. "An overt act of giving money shows support for a position. That can't be a mistake or misinterpretation."

Merle Black, an Emory University political science professor and author, along with his brother, of a new book on American politics, "Divided America," agreed that the contributions would again push Giuliani "on the defensive" on the issue.

"He's got to change the subject or come up with much more effective answers than he had (at the debate)," said Black.

Still, Black noted that there are "a lot more issues" than just abortion and that Giuliani's strength on national security -- along with the enhanced importance of more moderate states like California, Florida, New York and New Jersey in the GOP primary process -- could lessen the social litmus test.

Amy Walter, a political analyst with the Cook Political Report who is set to take over The Hotline next month, said Giuliani's past contributions and current rhetoric could combine to make him look like an opportunist. The issue threatens to go to "the heart of what opponents of Giuliani are hoping to do, which is undermine him on his greatest strength, which is his credibility and leadership."

The effort, Walter said, is not just to portray him as "not conservative enough, but to try to chip away at the image of a leader and nonpolitician."

Spokesmen for Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain said their candidates have never donated to abortion-rights groups. (Romney gave to a Massachusetts anti-abortion-rights organization last year.)

Founded in New York City by Margaret Sanger in 1916, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has 860 locations around the country. In addition to providing abortions, the organization also provides birth control, emergency contraception, testing for STDs and other gynecological services.

In 2005, the last year for which a Planned Parenthood representative could provide statistics, the organization performed 264,943 abortions and distributed more than 1.2 million emergency contraception kits.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abortion; elections; giuliani; giulianitruthfile; plannedparenthood; prolife
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To: Eva
Right, I’m a troll. I’ve been a member longer than you have. Try a little deeper thinking.

You've been here only 17 months longer than me - Whoopee. Length of time doesn't give your more wisdom than other FReepers.

61 posted on 05/07/2007 7:09:11 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Ben Franklin, we tried but we couldn't keep it.)
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To: madprof98
Memo to Rudy: If you want any chance to be President, you'd best grab a prolife sign and get your ass down to the local abortion clinic for about a month straight.
62 posted on 05/07/2007 7:52:52 PM PDT by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
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To: madprof98

How sad for him.


63 posted on 05/07/2007 7:55:33 PM PDT by Saundra Duffy (For victory & freedom!!!)
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To: RasterMaster; Sun; WFTR; Paperdoll

The most popular questions on Politico for Hunter during the debate dealt with the border and immigration.

None of them were asked.

I fault the questioneer, personally.


64 posted on 05/07/2007 8:00:50 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007 (Why vote for Duncan Hunter in 2008? Look at my profile.)
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To: madprof98

65 posted on 05/07/2007 8:02:01 PM PDT by narses ("Freedom is about authority." - Rudolph Giuliani)
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To: RasterMaster

Actually, in the case of Ghouliani, Chris Matthews and Politico are merely doing the job Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and conservatives should be doing. A rather ironic role reversal.


66 posted on 05/07/2007 8:12:08 PM PDT by Ol' Sparky
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To: CeasarsGhost
And this son-of-a-b---- calls himself a 'conservative'?

Listen to Sean Hannity and drink the Kool-Aid and you, too, can believe Giuliani is a conservative.

67 posted on 05/07/2007 8:14:21 PM PDT by Ol' Sparky
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To: Eva

What surpress turnout on the Republican side are liberal Republicans and RINOs running for office. The only cure is for conservatives to run and win nominations.


68 posted on 05/07/2007 8:17:25 PM PDT by Ol' Sparky
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To: Hoodat

Robert Bork’s old, and he’s struggling health wise. It’s still a shame that he isn’t a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.


69 posted on 05/07/2007 8:22:05 PM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore
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To: Eva

“I’m really tired of Republicans attacking other Republican candidates. How about trying to sell me on one of them, instead of attacking the rest of the field. “

Agreed. Name calling is a sign of an intellectual vacuum. Instead of calling Rudy names, why not come up with a powerhouse candidate?


70 posted on 05/07/2007 8:31:03 PM PDT by tkathy (Those who appease always get more killed than those who stand up to barbarism)
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To: Eva

Rudy would bring in the independents, the moderates, and the disaffected democrats.

That is the only way the reps are going to win a very very tough election in 2008.


71 posted on 05/07/2007 8:42:21 PM PDT by tkathy (Those who appease always get more killed than those who stand up to barbarism)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007

And here’s the question that most voters voted for on Hunter’s page:

“Question is for: Duncan Hunter
Topic Is: Immigration

I feel that you have been the most effective candidate in actually accomplishing the tightening of our borders by having a 14-mile fence built, which greatly lessoned crime in San Diego. As president what will you do to further secure our borders?

http://dyn.politico.com/debate/showquestions.cfm?page=1&sb=rc&cd=0&tp=0&submit=Search

Politico IGNORED it, despite the voters’ wishes.


72 posted on 05/07/2007 8:59:22 PM PDT by Sun (Vote for Duncan Hunter in the primaries. See you there.)
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To: Eva

If you’re a Republican first (don’t know if you are), please keep in mind that many conservatives will stay home if Rudy is the nominee.

Remember how many conservatives stayed home in the 2006 election?


73 posted on 05/07/2007 9:04:37 PM PDT by Sun (Vote for Duncan Hunter in the primaries. See you there.)
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To: tkathy

Says you and all other cowardly turncoat RINOs.


74 posted on 05/07/2007 9:06:11 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
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To: Eva; tkathy

“.. How about trying to sell me on one of them, ..”

Your wish is my command:

by John Hawkins
PS: I can tell you from talking to Hunter that he is VERY PASSIONATE about building a fence on the border and about any and all things related to the military. He also seems to have a pretty good sense of humor.

snip
John Hawkins: Would you like to see Roe v. Wade overturned?
Duncan Hunter: Yes. You know, I’m the author of the personhood-at-conception bill which right now has over 100 co-sponsors ...that would define personhood as moment of conception, so, it would allow us to have a reversal of the effects of Roe v. Wade without a constitutional amendment.
AND MORE at............................
http://www.rightnation.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=114155
*******
DUNCAN HUNTER QUOTE: “Not only do we have a bad trade deal with China but they’re cheating on the one we do have. China is cheating on trade and they’re using our trade dollars to buy ships, planes and missiles. They’re becoming a super power and stepping into the shoes of the Soviet Union.”
*******
Click below for Duncan Hunter’s voting record:
http://www.issues2002.org/CA/Duncan_Hunter.htm
excerpts are:
Duncan Hunter on Abortion
Voted NO on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
Voted YES on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
Voted YES on funding for health providers who don’t provide abortion info. (Sep 2002)
Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad. (May 2001)
Voted YES on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes. (Apr 2001)
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on barring transporting minors to get an abortion. (Jun 1999)
Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Duncan Hunter on Gun Control
Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
Rated A+ by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
Duncan Hunter on Foreign Policy
Voted YES on deterring foreign arms transfers to China. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on reforming the UN by restricting US funding. (Jun 2005)
Voted NO on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released. (Jul 2001)
Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction. (Jul 2000)
Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. (May 2000)
Voted NO on $15.2 billion for foreign operations. (Nov 1999)


75 posted on 05/07/2007 9:10:32 PM PDT by Sun (Vote for Duncan Hunter in the primaries. See you there.)
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To: Eva
The topic contains no real relavant revelations. We all know that Rudy is weak on right to life. How ‘bout finding something good to say about a single candidate. The negativity does nothing but suppress turn out.

Calling out the truth is not negative. Giuliani is not "weak on right to life" he opposes the right to life. Get it?
You say there is nothing new here, but this news actually provides evidence that he contributed $$$ to Planned Parenthood, thereby negating his "opposed to abortion" rhetoric of late. So he actually SUPPORTS ABORTION! How difficult is this to accept?
If this is negativity and it suppresses turnout that is just fine with me - esp. if it suppresses Giuliani's turnout.

76 posted on 05/07/2007 9:10:33 PM PDT by vox_freedom (John 16:2 yea, the hour come, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God)
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To: wagglebee

I think it is the final nail.


77 posted on 05/07/2007 9:11:47 PM PDT by zendari
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To: tioga

that sounds harsh and I don’t think Rudy sees that...but it’s true. How could he hate abortion and support a one sided evil organization whose founder proclaimed abortion as the way to kill the black race. I have Margaret Sangers quotes if anyone wants to read them.


78 posted on 05/07/2007 9:19:46 PM PDT by fabian
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To: madprof98

Not only is Planned Parenthood a baby-killing organization, it is also a racist organization. The whole idea behind the founding of PP was to eliminate the black race as well as to do away with the sick and the weak. Notice where all the PP clinics are located. Mostly in poor, black neighborhoods. An argument could be made that not only is Rudy pro-abortion, he is also a racist. I wouldn’t believe for a minute that he didn’t know the history of this evil organization. Before I give to an organization, I find out what they stand for. The person who wants to be elected as the leader of the free world should know the history of the organizations to which he contributes.


79 posted on 05/07/2007 9:31:15 PM PDT by murron
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To: tkathy

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1829450/posts

There’s a place you might find helpful.


80 posted on 05/07/2007 9:53:20 PM PDT by jedward (Mission '08 - Take back the House & Senate. No Negotiations...No Prisoners.)
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