[counterpunch]

One of the things about elected public service is the official is elected to represent and enact the will of the people whom elected him. NYC is a staunchly pro-abortion pro-gun control city, and it is ridiculous to demand that any elected politician go against that. An effective politician tinkers where he can, and leaves the status quo alone where he can’t.

It’s good to see Rudy moderating his position now that he is no longer shackled by the radical politics of NYC. Are we supposed to think that’s a bad thing? Should we prefer he brought NYC social attitudes to the GOP race?

Presidents don’t set abortion policy anyways. Currently, only the Supreme Court does. Rudy has said he would appoint Justices like Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, and Alito. After that, it would be up to the new Justices’ opinions on abortion, not Giuliani’s.

[Fred]

WRONGO. The president signed the Ban on PBA.

[Little Ray]

Rudy thinks that Ginsberg is a “strict constructionist.&rdquo and has included her as an example of the sort of judges he would appoint. His record of appointments in NYC is dismal, even more so than Romney’s. If you are worried about USSC appointments, then Rudy is definitely NOT your man.

[Man50D]

One of the things about elected public service is the official is elected to represent and enact the will of the people whom elected him.

Anyone considering running for political office who has a scintilla of common sense knows where their potential constituents stand on issues before they campaign. They campaign because they share those beliefs of the people on at least a majority of the issues because they know doing otherwise will prevent them from being elected. It's ludicrous to believe Giuliani was so naive that he didn't realize a majority of people in NYC were pro abortion, pro-gun control city when he campaigned and disagreed with their positions. He ran because he could accept those positions.

It’s good to see Rudy moderating his position now that he is no longer shackled by the radical politics of NYC. Are we supposed to think that’s a bad thing?

Are you actually suggesting NYC politics is more complex and demanding than that of the whole country? In case you have forgotten Congress is controlled by the same type of radicals as those in NYC because they were voted in by the people. Moderating is another attempt to spin the fact he is trying to appeal to Conservatives even though he is a Socialist at heart.

Rudy has said he would appoint Justices like Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, and Alito.

Giuliani's past actions say otherwise.

A Politico review of the 75 judges Giuliani appointed to three of New York state's lower courts found that Democrats outnumbered Republicans by more than 8 to 1. One of his appointments was an officer of the International Association of Lesbian and Gay Judges. Another ruled that the state law banning liquor sales on Sundays was unconstitutional because it was insufficiently secular.

A third, an abortion-rights supporter, later made it to the federal bench in part because New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer, a liberal Democrat, said he liked her ideology.

Cumulatively, Giuilani's record was enough to win applause from people like Kelli Conlin, the head of NARAL Pro-Choice New York, the state's leading abortion-rights group. "They were decent, moderate people," she said.

Source: Ben Smith, The Politico, 3/1/07

One judge approved by Giuliani, Rosalyn Richter, had been executive director of a gay rights organization, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, before being named to the bench. After her initial appointment by former Mayor David N. Dinkins, Richter changed the questions asked of potential jurors to be more welcoming to gay and lesbian couples. She was later reappointed by Giuliani.

Another judge, appointed by Giuliani to the criminal bench in 1996, Dora Irizarry, has called herself pro-choice and was later elevated to the federal bench with strong support from Democratic Sens. Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

A family court judge reappointed by Giuliani, Sheldon Rand, was excoriated on the conservative-leaning New York Post editorial page last week for ruling that city funds be used to pay for a sex-change operation for an indigent New York resident.

And a fourth judge, Paula J. Hepner, appointed initially by Dinkins in 1995, issued a ruling that allowed a lesbian to adopt her partner's child. Four years later, Giuliani reappointed Hepner to New York's family court bench. Hepner was subsequently married to another woman in a ceremony in Canada.

Source: om Hamburger and Adam Schreck, Los Angeles Times, 3/12/07

This is hardly the track record of someone who will nominate Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, and Alito type judges.