Posted on 05/23/2007 4:24:09 PM PDT by wagglebee
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Rudy Giuliani knows his pro-abortion views don't go over well with a Republican Party whose membership is largely pro-life. He's tried to deflect criticism in recent weeks by saying he "hates" abortion -- reminiscent of the attempts other candidates have made to highlight their personal opposition to abortion.
"I hate abortion," the ex-New York City mayor has said repeatedly, then adding, "people ultimately have to make that choice. If a woman chooses that, that's her choice, not mine. That's her morality, not mine."
Yet, the "personally opposed but" position that emphasizes an opposition to abortion but a failure to do anything in public policy to stop it has never gone over well with the pro-life movement.
In fact, most pro-life advocates see it as a slap in the face that a candidate for public office seemingly would share their view that destroying the lives of babies before birth is mortifying but do nothing about it.
That's the observation of Washington Post opinion columnist Michael Gerson as well and he suggests the former mayor stop using the phrase "I hate abortion" in his stump speech and debate responses.
"But the question naturally arises: Why does Giuliani 'hate' abortion?" Gerson writes. "No one feels moral outrage about an appendectomy. Clearly he is implying his support for the ... belief that an innocent life is being taken. And here the problems begin."
"How can the violation of a fundamental human right be viewed as a private matter?" Gerson says.
"Giuliani has chosen an option that is not an option -- a belief that unborn life deserves our sympathy but does not deserve rights or justice. This view is likely to dog him in the primary process, not only because it is pro-choice but because it is incoherent," he concludes.
Other political observers agree, such as David Brody, the CBN News senior political reporter who frequently blogs on pro-life issues.
"Maybe Giuliani's "I hate abortion" line should go. Tear it up. Take it out of the stump speech," he said, agreeing with Gerson. "I'm not sure it does him any favors. He hates abortion. OK. Who likes it? To say you hate abortion BUT... doesn't play well with the pro-life crowd."
"The bottom line is that the abortion issue will continue to be a problem for him," Brody says.
He said the only way Giuliani can get past the abortion issue is if a major act of terrorism happens again in our nation and the respected 9-11 leader can get the country focused back on his record on national security issues.
Uh, that's not how I read it: "He said the "only way Giuliani can get past the abortion issue is if a major act of terrorism happens again in our nation and the respected 9-11 leader can get the country focused back on his record on national security issues".
THAT's saying, 'abortion left behind. PERIOD! IOW, the only way Giuliani can get traction is if abortion becomes a back-burner issue.
I admire you Rudybots; I really do. You have a man you believe can be a strong leader. But others disagree; adamantly! Gun control, abortion, you name it. Rudy is NOT the candidate for America at this time. It's NOT going to happen!
So, you would prefer the opportunity to choose between two leftists to vote for?
But then again, abortion is much more important than national security. Perhaps videotaped, partial birth abortions by sword, on 24 and 33 year old Americans are fine for you, not for me.
You're right, the fact that American abortuaries have killed more infants in the past 72 hours than died on 9/11/01 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan COMBINED really isn't that important./sarcasm off
Your stay at home, take my ball and go home antics put a Democrat Majority in both houses of Congress and now you're getting ready to play the same game.
I've NEVER voted for a 'Rat in my life and I prefer to vote for CONSERVATIVES.
You're not principled, you're clueless.
You are totally ignorant as to what conservatism is.
If you are accusing ME of being a Rudybot, you are seriously misguided. I can’t stand the man and will do anything necessary to get him out of the race. Go back and read EVERYTHING I have said about him.
I am as committed to abolishing abortion as ANYBODY on this forum.
If he hates abortion he hates it. So do I. What’s wrong with him expressing his opinion???? Everyone should hate it. It’s murder.
Man that was weird. YOU a Rudybot??
ROTFLOL!
“If he hates abortion he hates it. So do I. What’s wrong with him expressing his opinion???? Everyone should hate it. It’s murder”
Go back and check Rudy’s 100% endorsements from the baby killers!
I guess it was my participation on the Bug Zapper thread that gave me away!
That's fine and commendable. But don't try to defend arguments by a couple writers who can't get their points in order. The fact is, the statement still supports Rudy suborning abortion to the WOT if he's to succeed (in their opinion). I know you didn't write it, but you were defending the context of it.
I'm sorry if I offended you by calling you a Rudybot, but that's how that defense came across.
Are you equating jihadists who slice heads of soldiers and civilians, with abortion doctors who cut & slice unborn babies with scissors and scapels, and in some cases suck their brains out in the process.
I am not very familiar with the blogger who was quoted, but I know for a fact that Steven Ertelt the editor of Life News is totally opposed to Rudy. I think he was stating an opinion of what Rudy could do, my hope is that Rudy has already destroyed himself. My perception was that Rudy should drop the “I hate it” line and just say he is pro-abortion.
“I guess it was my participation on the Bug Zapper thread that gave me away!”
Muzz be : )
Yup.
Who died and left you arbiter of Conservatism?
FYI wagglebee is in the forefront of FReepers AGAINST abortion. I don’t see how you could interpret otherwise.
“To: wagglebee
So, it’s obvious you wouldn’t have a problem with a Democrat president.
Man, that “so you want hillary?” crap is getting old.
We want a conservative, plain and simple.
“wagglebee is one of the most pro-life people on the FR and it’s laughable to suggest that he is a Rudy supporter”
Amen!
Bump
Bump for the Rudy-Lovers still among us! We will prevail and you will not stifle our efforts! Fly back to your coops and stay there!
Life is truely everything!
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