Giuliani Plans to Publicly Embrace Abortion Rights [Rudy declares war on conservatism]

New York Times ^ | May 10, 2007 | By ADAM NAGOURNEY and MARC SANTORA

[Jim Robinson]

After months of giving ambiguous signals on abortion, Rudolph W. Giuliani is planning to offer a forthright affirmation of his support for abortion rights in public forums, television appearances and interviews in the coming days, despite potential consequences among some conservative voters already wary of his views, aides said yesterday.

At the same time, Mr. Giuliani’s campaign — seeking to accomplish the unusual task of persuading the Republican Party to nominate an abortion rights supporter as its presidential candidate — is eyeing a path to the nomination that would try to de-emphasize the early states in which abortion opponents wield a great deal of influence. Instead they would focus on the so-called mega-primary of Feb. 5, in which voters in states like California, New York and New Jersey are likely to be more receptive to Mr. Giuliani’s social views than voters in states like Iowa and South Carolina. They said that approach became more appealing after Florida, another state they said would be receptive to Mr. Giuliani, voted last week to move its primary forward to the end of January.

The shift in emphasis by Mr. Giuliani comes as his campaign has struggled to deal with the fallout from the first Republican presidential candidate debate in which he gave a halting and apparently contradictory responses to questions about his support for abortion rights. Mr. Giuliani’s aides were concerned both because it opened him up to a new round of criticism from abortion critics — who have never been happy with the prospect of a Republican presidential candidate who supports abortion rights — while threatening to undercut his image as a tough-talking iconoclast who does not equivocate on tough issues.

[Clemenza]

ROFLOL!

[Reagan Man]

Man, the abortionists are dropping like flies tonight.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Hitlery....the wicked witch of Georgetown/Long Island : )

[babygene]

” Running as an independent, he would boost Clinton’s chances measureably.”

I would question that... Seems to me he would take votes away from the dem candidate.

[Clemenza]

I have NO favorable views of Giuliani as a candidate, and I am a hedonistic agnostic. His first term as Mayor was good, but that’s like being district manager of the month compared to holding the presidency. Ignorant of foreign affairs, to say nothing of our constitution, pseudo-butch posturing (the true signs of a fop), and the lack of competance and judgement in choosing associates are but many reasons for rejecting Rudy.

[conservative in nyc]

So, you admit that Giuliani is a gun grabber.

I don't think I ever said Giuliani wasn't for gun control. His record speaks for itself.

But you seem to want to tailor our candidates to appeal to the typical, liberal brainwashed suburban female who thinks that guns are "icky". If you do that, then you'll be running liberal candidates. And what will that get you?

I don't want to tailor "our" candidates to appeal to anyone. I am merely pointing out the facts - suburban female voters tend to support gun control. And in states like Pennsylvania, suburban female voters are the ultimate swing voters. Pennsylvania elections are won or lost in the Philadelpia suburbs.

[Doofer]

If you believe so strongly that abortion is okay, WTF are you doing around FR spewing your ugly BS. This is a pro-life forum.

motife has been zotted which should help with your blood pressure a bit [grin]....

[monkapotamus]

[do the dhue]

Try this site too: http://www.cafepress.com/rightwingstuff/256239 or just click this

It has stuff like:

And many many more...

[Spiff]

Although I won’t vote for him, because of it, I will respect him more if he would just come out and be honest about it, and not just another political huckster hedging his bets.

Respecting someone for openly embracing evil is despicable.

[Clemenza]

Rudy will not draw conservative voters in Ohio, WV, and Minnesota. Nor does he have a chance in hell of winning New York or Connecticut, and would probably lose Jersey as well (by a slim margin). Not a good idea.

[babygene]

“I couldn’t care less what a candidate’s position is on abortion.”

He’s your man then...

[Clemenza]

National security? You mean like telling Arafat to shove it in the most Jewish city in America, while embracing Gerry Adams a month earlier? You mean like giving a glorified stump speech in front of a bunch of burning buildings? You mean like attending a cholo festival in Queens?

Giuliani's grasp of foreign policy might as well come from reading placemats at a Chinese restaurant. The man is clueless.

[conservative in nyc]

I take it that you haven’t been reading Jim Robinson’s posts on Giuliani, then. And he’s not only talking about abortion...

Yes I have. Jim Robinson speaks for Jim Robinson. Many FReepers agree with Jim Robinson. But Jim Robinson doesn't speak for the 87%-91% of the electorate who don't think a candidate's opinion on abortion is a deal breaker, or the many self-professed conservatives in recent polls who claim they would vote for Giuliani in the primary or general election despite knowing his positions on social issues.

[Spiff]

Republicans can be pro-choice, conservatives cannot.

How can someone call themselves a Republican if they don't even stick to the major planks of the Party Platform? That's like Giuliani calling himself a Catholic.

[jdm]

...are we willing to turn the presidency over to a liberal because we don’t agree with Guiliani respecting the laws that are currently in place?

Giuliani IS a liberal. You just don't get it.

[Reagan Man]

Blood pressure is fine. ;^)

I just enjoy peppering the liberals and smacking around the abortionists with serious rhetorical attacks. They can’t stand the truth!

[Ol' Sparky]

Great, now Hannity will be forced to stop chanting his "Rudy will appoint strict constructionists" mantra Sean is the biggest Kool-Aid drinker of them all.

The real question is will El Rushbo even mention this story on the air. Rush only seems to want to mention Ghouliani when he says something conservative while ignoring his mostly liberal record and views.

It's sad when our conservative "leaders" on the radio are nothing more than lap dogs for the GOP.

[do the dhue]

Well, we know they already captured one political party. The good thing is, many Capitalist are Republican. Of course, our politicians can still be bought.

[conservative in nyc]

That is ridiculous! I've lived in the west for the last 31 years. You act as though the Republican Party is filled with libertarians. Its not. Within the GOP, libertarians are a blip on the political radar screen.

No, I don't. Western Republicans tend to be more libertarian than Southern Republicans. That was my point in response to a poster who claimed libertarian Republicans would defect from Giuliani. Apparently, you don't think their defection would be much of an issue.

Btw, I see your still making THE case for Rooty`s candidacy.

You must have me confused with someone else. Being realistic about a candidate's viability is hardly making THE case for anyone's candidacy.