Posted on 05/19/2007 1:04:07 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
By his transparent effort to find "middle ground" on the fundamental issue of human life, where clearly none exists, Giuliani's proved that his recent pronouncement of a decidedly pro-abortion stance resulted neither from any heartfelt belief nor from any desire to promote a certain agenda. Rather, it represents a desperate calculation, designed to hastily settle a brewing firestorm that otherwise leaves him exposed to further controversy.
~~snip~~
During the May 4 Republican debate, liberal "mediator" Chris Matthews hammered him relentlessly on the abortion issue. As a result, the Giuliani camp seems to have concluded that an unambiguous statement on the issue, no matter how adverse to the conservative base, would settle matters more quickly and equitably than a continuation of his former course. Unfortunately for Giuliani however, this latest announcement, when weighed against his previous postures on the abortion issue, is anything but "unambiguous."
Giuliani has since reasserted his belief in a woman's inherent "right to choose." Yet in past months, he has claimed to support the confirmation of Supreme Court Justices who may well eradicate that "right." So now he will be forced to "clarify" his statement on the sort of Justices he would appoint to the high court. This can of worms has only begun to open.
Furthermore, by now taking such a strident stance on an issue about which he diligently sought, until this past weekend to find "common ground" with the base, he shows once again that all of his stances on this issue are merely postures. Thus his political gymnastics beg the question of which other foundational issues are similarly up for debate and reconsideration in the aftershocks of tough questioning from reporters.
Among Giuliani's other "Achilles Heel" issues are his support for same-sex "marriage," amnesty for illegals, and gun control. He can certainly expect no less of a media attack over these clearly non-conservative philosophies in the upcoming months. Yet even the heat he now faces will be minor in comparison to the potentially fatal blow the media will be able to deliver to his camaign if he wins the Republican nomination next year.
In the process, conservatism in the GOP will unquestionably suffer a setback from which it may never recover.
You cannot have half an abortion.
And if you believe abortion is murder, there is no middle ground.
...proudly was against Rudy for President, when being against Rudy wasn’t cool.
I wonder if he’ll twist about on the gun control, homosexual issues, and immigration like he did on abortion for a while. Perhaps he learned from the abortion issue, and he will be forthwright like his positions. Although, it’s possible he didn’t learn and will squirm about until someone starts pulling out records from when he was the Mayor of NYC and quotes. We already have plenty gathered right here on FR. :)
Me too!
“Among Giuliani’s other “Achilles Heel” issues are his support for same-sex “marriage,” amnesty for illegals, and gun control.”
4 reasons I would NEVER vote for Rudy.
The headline conjured up images of Rooty sitting in a tank dressed in drag...
“We already have plenty gathered right here on FR. :)”
Free Republic has enough on “Rudy the Reprobate” to bury him several times over : )
The idea of “compromise” on abortion always makes me think of the story of King Solomon and the two women, when he suggested that they cut the baby in half so they would each get a share, to see which one would flinch.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1835861/posts?page=25#7 is good for the new immigration bill. Tommy did a good job.
And by that definition, that means Lieberman is fully qualified to be nominated by the GOP for President (despite the fact he scored a goose egg from the ACU in recent years — as far to the left as you can get).
Although I don't live in NY, I never much liked Rudy when he was mayor. His sanctuary lawsuits were disgusting. Law and order, sure.
Next Rudy will be complaining of his miss treatment by the right wing social conservatives.
IBTZ
Rehnquist covered both points in his last such opinion at greater length but to the same effect as Rudy did in this answer. I do not agree with the conclusion that Rehnquist reached, but I understand his logic.
Congressman Billybob
Latest article: "Jeffrey Has Escaped, and Other Tales of Divorce"
Compared to the implosions of other leftists like Dukakis, Kerry and Dean, Rooty’s was pretty pathetic.
“his willingness to fight the islamic threat”
Considering how serious the threat is, that’s a pretty big positive.
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