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Political Observers Suggest Rudy Giuliani Drop "I Hate Abortion" Language
Life News ^ | 5/23/07 | Steven Ertelt

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abortion; giuliani; giulianitruthfile; prolife; rudy08; rudy2008; rudyonabortion; stoprudy2008
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To: Coleus; wagglebee
...it’s laughable to suggest that he is a Rudy supporter. Read his posts before you make a judgment.

Thanks, but I'll pass on checking bonafides before responding to anyone.

My remark was to have wagglebee understand that he was defending a statement by two individuals that implied Rudy 'should' campaign on security vs. abortion; making abortion a back-burner issue. That's what the statement implied to me; wagglebee disagreed. I stand by my remarks. It wasn't a condemnation on his position on abortion, yet when he seemed to support the individuals, he came across as a Rudy suporter.

41 posted on 05/23/2007 6:08:45 PM PDT by bcsco
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To: wagglebee

Go, Rudy, go...back to New York City.


42 posted on 05/23/2007 6:17:10 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: wagglebee
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 accept that. But I'm not familiar with Internet bloggers for the most part. What I get, I get here at FR, mostly. so a 'Steven Ertelt' to me means nothing. And when I saw a statement accredited to someone, implying that a Rudy G may only get the nomination if he campaigns on the WOT at the expense of abortion, then I inferred that it's campaign formula; a suggestion. And I saw nothing to discourage that impression. Okay? You have others backing you up on your abortion bonafides. I think that's commendable. And I don't question that. But understand that I won't check everyone's credentials before I post, nor will I hesitate to take issue with something I see as wrong.

43 posted on 05/23/2007 6:18:55 PM PDT by bcsco
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To: Neidermeyer; farmer18th
You know, every time you guys say stuff like that, someone over at That Other Site kills a puppy.

Think of the puppies!
44 posted on 05/23/2007 6:19:57 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: wagglebee
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...

I think the blogger may be part of the hate-Rudy coalition, primarily composed of pro-life/pro-family Catholic activists. There was some recent writing on their organizing blogs and invite-only forums.

The blogger may be playing a psych game with Rudy (picture police grilling a suspect under hot lights): "Go on, just admit it, you don't really hate abortion, do you, Rudy? Come on, you'll feel better if you just come clean...".

Bwahahahahaha...l'auto de fe de Rudi!
45 posted on 05/23/2007 6:26:50 PM PDT by George W. Bush
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To: stephenjohnbanker

Well, maybe he has had a change of heart?


46 posted on 05/23/2007 6:27:07 PM PDT by cubreporter
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To: bcsco; wagglebee
bcsco,

Freeper wagglebee is a powerful Pro-Life advocate, and starts a majority of the Pro-Life threads.

Freeper wagglebee has been against Ghouliani since the beginning.

I am glad you are passionately Pro-Life my FRiend but we don't need any more division in the ranks so please don't jump to conclusions. This is a very long war we are in and we have to stay unified.

47 posted on 05/23/2007 6:34:47 PM PDT by cpforlife.org (A Catholic Respect Life Curriculum is available at KnightsForLife.org)
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To: Coleus; nickcarraway; narses; Mr. Silverback; Canticle_of_Deborah; TenthAmendmentChampion; ...

Pro-Life PING

Please FreepMail me if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

48 posted on 05/23/2007 6:39:10 PM PDT by cpforlife.org (A Catholic Respect Life Curriculum is available at KnightsForLife.org)
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To: cpforlife.org; wagglebee

You fellows are getting really paranoid. There’s no dissension in the ranks, FRiend, only a difference of opinion over what someone said and the writer’s quote.

wagglebee has his opinion of what was stated, I have mine. And, yes, in a response to me he did come across as someone favoring Rudy. Oh, well. That’s since been cleared up.

So, let’s take a deep breath, sit back, and enjoy the fine nighttime air. And may I suggest to you in return, don’t jump to conclusions.


49 posted on 05/23/2007 6:41:11 PM PDT by bcsco
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To: wagglebee

“But the question naturally arises: Why does Giuliani ‘hate’ abortion?”

Yeah, Rudy has yet to tell us WHY he hates abortion.


50 posted on 05/23/2007 7:01:57 PM PDT by Sun (Vote for Duncan Hunter in the primaries. See you there.)
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To: cpforlife.org

Bump!!!


51 posted on 05/23/2007 7:06:11 PM PDT by jedward (Mission '08 - Take back the House & Senate. No Negotiations...No Prisoners.)
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To: All

Rudy says he hates abortion, but wants we the taxpayers to pay for abortions for poor women.

Pro-aborts “help” the poor, by doing away with the poor.


52 posted on 05/23/2007 7:09:02 PM PDT by Sun (Vote for Duncan Hunter in the primaries. See you there.)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

Amen again!

No doubt there are cowardly Rudy-Lovers still slithering around and want to stop the stop rudy voices! It’s not going to happen!


53 posted on 05/23/2007 7:09:52 PM PDT by jedward (Mission '08 - Take back the House & Senate. No Negotiations...No Prisoners.)
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To: bcsco; wagglebee
I admire you Rudybots; I really do.

Them's fightin' words!! Seriously, my FRiend wagglebee is in NO WAY a Rudybot, and is one of the unborn's loudest voices on this forum. He's one of the good guys.

54 posted on 05/23/2007 7:16:59 PM PDT by cgk (I don't see myself as a conservative. I see myself as a religious, right-wing, wacko extremist.)
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To: bcsco

Actually, the war on Islamofascism is first, illegal immigration 2nd, SS reform, permanent tax cuts, health care and abortion are in the teens according to Gallup on likely voters. That is not a poll of conservatives or even of just likely Gop voters. But, to most of the nation, the WOT and illegal immigration are the two top issues. They are for me.


55 posted on 05/23/2007 7:33:42 PM PDT by phillyfanatic
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To: bcsco; wagglebee
I admire you Rudybots; I really do.

In response to that post:

If you are employed with a company that offers vision coverage, call up your HR representative.

Find your nearest provider.

And get a new prescription.

If wagglebee is a Rudybot, then I'm Paris Hilton's new roommate.

56 posted on 05/23/2007 7:40:52 PM PDT by dirtboy (A store clerk has done more to fight the WOT than Rudy.)
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To: stephenjohnbanker; All
FYI wagglebee is in the forefront of FReepers AGAINST abortion. I don’t see how you could interpret otherwise.

Well, good for wagglebee. I'm against abortion, as well. Zealotous. Vehement. I am a realist. Without a strong defense all else is moot.

57 posted on 05/23/2007 8:06:44 PM PDT by olde north church (Is Chilean produce picked by undocumented workers?)
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To: Sun
Yeah, Rudy has yet to tell us WHY he hates abortion.

Oh, that's easy. It's because of all the embarrassing questions he gets asked about it.

58 posted on 05/23/2007 8:30:48 PM PDT by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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To: bcsco

What record on national security issues? Sure, he was at the center of the action and I’m sure he hates terrorism because of what they did to his city. And he did a great job getting his city up and running again, but he didn’t take on the terrorists. George Bush was president at that time, not Giuliani.


59 posted on 05/23/2007 8:44:36 PM PDT by murron
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To: wagglebee

I put some thought behind this strategy, and I actually see that he’s screwed either way :) I like that. If he stop’s saying “he hates abortion”, then he’s taking away the one tiny trump card he feels like he has to sway “confused” pro-life voters and other moderate/liberal republicans. Quite the pickle he’s in (lololol).


60 posted on 05/23/2007 9:28:32 PM PDT by jedward (Mission '08 - Take back the House & Senate. No Negotiations...No Prisoners.)
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