No, what Rudy claimed is that he would nominate strict constructionists. I've yet to see Rudy say that, even though he believes abortion should be legal, it is not constitutional. In fact, his positions indicate he believes abortion to be a constitutionally protected right. (Further, he has advocated tax-payer funding of abortion.)
It is more than reasonable to believe that a 'strict constructionist' from Rudy's perspective would hold the same views about abortion he does.
So, it is very MUCH an issue.
There are other more relevant things to use to pick a President.
We each choose what criteria are relevant to our selection of a candidate. Your priorities and mine are obviously different. So be it.
Two years ago while being interviewed on Hannity and Colmes, Rudy said the following:
COLMES: Now, Roe vs. Wade — You are pro-choice. How important is it to you as a pro-choice Republican to have a pro-choice on the court as someone...
GIULIANI: That is not the critical factor. And what’s important to me is to have a very intelligent, very honest, very good lawyer on the court. And he fits that category, in the same way Justice Ginsburg fit that category.
I mean, she was — she maybe came at it from a very different political background, very qualified lawyer, very smart person. Lots of Republicans supported her. I expect, and listening to Senator Nelson, I expect that John Roberts will get support from a lot of Democrats.
He then confirmed what type of justices he would nominate:
Presidents, going back to the beginning of the republic, generally appoint people on the Supreme Court that they believe agree with them.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,163223,00.html
Rooty Toot has NEVER indicated that he would nominate pro-life judges.