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.
And Rudy CLEARLY DOES NOT FIT INTO JIM ROBINSON'S PLAN!
YOU seem to be operating under the delusion that a president can only focus on one issue at a time. And anyone who can only do this IS NOT QUALIFIED to be president. Additionally, YOU seem willing to ignore Rudys liberalism based on the erroneous assumption that he is qualified to fight terrorism.
One more time, LOUDLY,
You obviously have no problem with John McCain's coddling of Guantanamo prisoners. To me, that's being soft on terror.
Rudy Giuliani is the only candidate who hasn't RUN from the tactics being used.
You presume, I'm a Giuliani supporter, you presume incorrectly. I'm not ignoring anything about him. About the only way Giuliani will get my vote is if he makes the top of the Republican Presidential ticket 11/08.
Stop misrepresenting my position on the issues.
Please FReepmail me if you would like to be added to, or removed from, the Pro-Life/Pro-Baby ping list...
Rooty if he were to get nominated would guarantee that about 35% of the Republican party stays home, leaves that line blank, or votes third party/write in.
How does the party keep RATS from winning with that?
You mention national security as a big issue. Please list all of Rooty’s special qualifications or accomplishments on that issue?
Perhaps its you that should buy a clue.
WHAT NATIONAL SECURITY???
War?
Border?
Invasion?
Terrorism?
2nd Amendment?
Zealotry and "Realism" (translate Compromise) are exclusive. Or are you unfamiliar with what zealotry Definition (from the American Heritage Dictionary at Bartleby.com) Zealotry: excessive zeal; fanaticism. Does a fanatic actually compromise? By definition, he does not.
I want to ask you a few questions. How many people do you think will die if the WOT is not properly prosecuted? Millions? how many do you think die by the abortionist's scalpel? We are not discussing chasing the guy who took aunt Bertha's purse. We are talking about mass murder. If you do not accept this, then why are you against abortion?
If you prosecute the WOT successfully at the cost of these "social" issues, what is it that you have really protected? If the liberals are allowed their way on abortion, homosexuality, and such what was really won by winning the WOT? It sounds more like a Faustian bargain than anything
What makes Giuliani the up and coming savior? Why is it that it ONLY he can win either the election or the WOT? The whole thing reminds me of Kerry. Somehow, the MSM was insisting that John Kerry had all of this credibility and would restore the US's standing on the world. The promises always rung hollow. What made Kerry so incredibly wonderful? Likewise, what makes it so that we need Giuliani so badly?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.