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Giuliani's Abortion Record Should Hearten Pro-Lifers
Human Events ^ | 1/18/20007 | Deroy Murdock

Posted on 01/18/2007 9:27:26 AM PST by Dark Skies

As pro-lifers prepare to mark Monday’s 34th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision, many wonder whether they could support former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani for president despite his pro-choice views. While some of Giuliani’s statements on abortion make pro-lifers fret, they should find his record surprisingly reassuring.

“I don’t like abortion,” Giuliani said in South Carolina’s The State newspaper last November 21. “I don’t think abortion is a good thing. I think we ought to find some alternative to abortion, and that there ought to be as few as possible.”

Nevertheless, Giuliani’s pro-life critics point to his April 5, 2001 address to the National Abortion Rights Action League’s “Champions of Choice” luncheon in Manhattan.

“As a Republican who supports a woman’s right to choose, it is particularly an honor to be here,” Giuliani said. He added: “The government shouldn’t dictate that choice by making it a crime or making it illegal.”

“I have a daughter now,” Giuliani told TV’s Phil Donahue during his unsuccessful 1989 mayoral campaign. Giuliani continued: “I would give my personal advice, my religious and moral views…I would help her with taking care of the baby. But if the ultimate choice of the woman -- my daughter or any other woman -- would be that in this particular circumstance, to have an abortion, I’d support that. I’d give my daughter the money for it.”

But did Giuliani’s mayoral deeds match such words?

According to the state Office of Vital Statistics, total abortions performed in New York City between 1993 (just before Giuliani arrived) and 2001 (as he departed) fell from 103,997 to 86,466 -- a 16.86 percent decrease. This upended a 10.32 percent increase compared to eight years before Giuliani, when 1985 witnessed 94,270 abortions.

What about Medicaid-financed abortions? Under Giuliani, such taxpayer-funded feticides dropped 22.85 percent, from 45,006 in 1993 to 34,722 in 2001.

The abortion ratio also slid from 890 terminations per 1,000 live births in 1993 to 767 in 2001, a 13.82 percent tail-off. This far outpaced the 2.84 percent reduction from 1985’s ratio of 916 to 1993’s 890. While abortions remained far more common in Gotham than across America (2001’s U.S. abortion ratio was 246), they diminished during Giuliani’s tenure, as they did nationally.

Giuliani essentially verbalized his pro-choice beliefs while avoiding policies that would have impeded abortion’s generally downward trajectory.

New York pro-lifers concede that Giuliani never attempted anything like what current Mayor Michael Bloomberg promulgated in July 2002. Eight city-run hospitals added abortion instruction to the training expected of their OB-GYN medical residents. Only those with moral objections may refuse this requirement.

Giuliani could have issued such rules, but never did.

Interestingly enough, after Giuliani left, Medicaid abortions under Bloomberg increased 5.19 percent from 34,722 in 2001 to 36,523 in 2003.

Asked if he could cite any Giuliani initiative that advanced abortion, New York State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long told me, “I don’t remember, and I don’t think so.” He added: “I never remember seeing him promote the issue, to my knowledge.”

“I like him a lot -- although he doesn’t share my particular point of view on social issues,” televangelist Pat Robertson said May 1, 2005 on ABC’s “This Week.” “He did a super job running the city of New York and I think he’d make a good president.”

If Giuliani can sway Pat Robertson, can he attract other pro-lifers? Short of dizzying himself and others with a 180-degree reversal from a pro-choice to a pro-life posture, Giuliani should embrace parental-notification rules, so minors who seek abortions need their folks’ permission, as they now do for ear piercing. He should oppose partial-birth abortion, which even Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and liberal stalwart Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont have voted to prohibit.

Similarly, Giuliani should propose that Uncle Sam exit embryonic-stem-cell research laboratories and instead let drug companies -- not government -- finance such embryocidal experiments, if they must. He also could pledge to nominate constitutionalist judges skeptical of penumbras emanating outside Planned Parenthood clinics.

And, of course, Rudolph W. Giuliani should remind Republican primary voters that on his watch, total abortions, taxpayer-funded Medicaid abortions, and the abortion ratio all went the right way: down.

Mr. Murdock, a New York-based commentator to HUMAN EVENTS, is a columnist with the Scripps Howard News Service and a media fellow with the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2008election; electionpresident; giuliani; rudy
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To: Peach
The Mayor was for civil unions. But guess what? So is President Bush.

Well that settles it than, I mean, right and wrong is of course defined by what the President believes. In fact, I am now concerend that Giuliani isn't very enthusiastic about increasing spending, creating new entitlements, and further federalizing education.

481 posted on 01/18/2007 6:14:45 PM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: hosepipe
I usually listen to you. But that wasn't much of a post.

The number 1 issue in the world is the "war" agains't islamofascism. Name someone better than Rudy to wage it.

482 posted on 01/18/2007 6:15:19 PM PST by Dark Skies ("He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that" ... John Stuart Mill)
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To: narses; Coleus; Antoninus; ArrogantBustard; Claud; Aquinasfan

Dear narses,

"If 99% of America favored killing babies, I'd still object."

I would stand right by you, and object with you.


sitetest


483 posted on 01/18/2007 6:16:05 PM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: Dark Skies
Dark Skies says:
Find a solution in the dynamic world!
I have. The Way, the Truth and the Life.

Dark Skies says:

Or STFU!
Not as long as I have breath in my body.

(Do you eat with that filthy mouth btw?)

484 posted on 01/18/2007 6:16:32 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: Rodney King; Peach

We are at war, Rodney. Who do you suggest should lead this country to victory?


485 posted on 01/18/2007 6:16:38 PM PST by Dark Skies ("He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that" ... John Stuart Mill)
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To: narses

So you don't have a link.

This quote is only on far right sites with no link to the quote.

A link would help.


486 posted on 01/18/2007 6:17:09 PM PST by BunnySlippers (SAY YES TO RUDY !!!)
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To: Peach

This thread is about the truth of liberal Rudy Giuliani`s supporting abortion on demand. Its not about President Reagan's strong pro-life legacy.

Reagan is no god. But you trashing the Reagan legacy makes no sense whatsoever, and really shows a total disrepsect for a great leader. Here are President's Reagan job approval ratings from Gallup. In January 1983 Reagan hit his low point. Just before his Economic Recovery effort took full effect adn hit full stride. The only month Reagan ever finished below 40% in his entire Presidency. One month. Liberal Democrats did try and undermine the Reagan Presidency during the Iran-Contra Affair, but Reagan left office with a 65% approval rating from the American people. After falling from a 90% approval rating shortly after 9-11, President Bush has lived in the mid-30% range for the better part of the last year. Not breaking 40% too often. As I told you yesterday. President Reagan united America behind common goals and objectives. While President Bush has done a good job of dividing America. Coming during a time of war, that is a disasterous outcome.

January 1981 51.00
February 1981 55.00
March 1981 60.00
April 1981 67.00
May 1981 68.00
June 1981 58.70
July 1981 58.00
August 1981 60.00
September 1981 52.00
October 1981 56.00
November 1981 52.00
December 1981 49.00



January 1982 48.00
February 1982 47.00
March 1982 46.00
April 1982 44.00
May 1982 44.50
June 1982 44.50
July 1982 42.00
August 1982 41.30
September 1982 42.00
October 1982 42.00
November 1982 43.00
December 1982 41.00

January 1983 36.30
February 1983 40.00
March 1983 41.00
April 1983 41.00
May 1983 44.00
June 1983 45.00
July 1983 43.00
August 1983 43.30
September 1983 47.50
October 1983 47.00
November 1983 53.00
December 1983 54.00

January 1984 53.50
February 1984 55.00
March 1984 54.00
April 1984 54.00
May 1984 54.00
June 1984 54.00
July 1984 53.50
August 1984 54.00
September 1984 57.00
October 1984 56.00
November 1984 61.00
December 1984 60.50

January 1985 63.00
February 1985 60.00
March 1985 56.00
April 1985 52.00
May 1985 55.00
June 1985 58.00
July 1985 63.00
August 1985 65.00
September 1985 60.00
October 1985 63.00
November 1985 63.50
December 1985 63.00

January 1986 64.00
February 1986 63.50
March 1986 63.00
April 1986 62.00
May 1986 68.00
June 1986 62.50
July 1986 63.00
August 1986 61.00
September 1986 61.00
October 1986 63.00
November 1986 55.00
December 1986 47.00

January 1987 48.00
February 1987 40.00
March 1987 46.50
April 1987 48.00
May 1987 no data
June 1987 53.00
July 1987 49.00
August 1987 no data
September 1987 49.00
October 1987 no data
November 1987 no data
December 1987 49.00

January 1988 49.00
February 1988 no data
March 1988 50.50
April 1988 50.00
May 1988 49.00
June 1988 49.50
July 1988 52.50
August 1988 53.00
September 1988 54.00
October 1988 51.00
November 1988 57.00
December 1988 63.00


487 posted on 01/18/2007 6:17:32 PM PST by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't vote for liberals.)
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To: Peach
More importantly, this is what counts most.

Reagan Landslide 1984

Reagan Landlside 1980


488 posted on 01/18/2007 6:18:29 PM PST by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't vote for liberals.)
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To: sitetest

Thank you. Every voice matters. Millions cannot as they have been killed. Why is this even an issue for conservatives? Absent a right to life, what do rights mean?


489 posted on 01/18/2007 6:18:56 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: narses
You are so fine as not to have a filthy soul. Then I guess you are one of the lucky ones that don't need salvation.

I, unlike you, am fallen. I do my best, but I dont imagine myself on a know-it-all pinnacle of perfection.

But down here, we can always look up at you. Thx for your inerrant perfection.

490 posted on 01/18/2007 6:19:36 PM PST by Dark Skies ("He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that" ... John Stuart Mill)
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To: sitetest; narses

And I would stand with you!


491 posted on 01/18/2007 6:20:36 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Rodney King
If one is not in favor of banning abortion, they are pro-choice. One can be against partial birth abortions and be pro-choice.

In fact, I am in favor of overturing Roe, yet I consider myself pro-choice.

492 posted on 01/18/2007 6:21:09 PM PST by zarf
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To: narses
(Do you eat with that filthy mouth btw?)

"Judge not that you be not judged."

Wouldn't want to be in your shoes.

493 posted on 01/18/2007 6:21:23 PM PST by Dark Skies ("He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that" ... John Stuart Mill)
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To: Reagan Man

Who cares about approval ratings? Most of the public are naive and have no idea what's going on or what the right thing to do is. JFK had high approval ratings and Truman had low approval ratings yet history has proven Truman to be a much better President than JFK.


494 posted on 01/18/2007 6:22:48 PM PST by My GOP
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To: BunnySlippers

LOL, I posted a link, you denigrate the source. You are a hoot.


495 posted on 01/18/2007 6:24:14 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: Reagan Man; Peach
Peach worte:

1984: averaged JA ratings in the low 50s yet still won re-election in a landslide

So, DUH on your map posting.

496 posted on 01/18/2007 6:24:19 PM PST by onyx (DONATE NOW! -- It takes DONATIONS to keep FR running!!)
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To: Dark Skies
[ Name someone better than Rudy to wage it. ]

Newt Gingrich.. Newt makes Rudy look like Maxine Waters..
I would quickly vote for Newt and Coulter as VeeP..
Even if they didn't choose G. Gordon Liddy as Press Secretary..

Now wouldn't THAT put the Donkey Rodeo in Washington D.C. on edge?.. :)

497 posted on 01/18/2007 6:24:33 PM PST by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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To: narses

Dear narses,

"Thank you. Every voice matters. Millions cannot as they have been killed."

I think about that often, that the unborn have no voice. It seems that a lot of folks think that since they can't cry out on their own behalf, it's hunky-dory to kill them.

"Why is this even an issue for conservatives?"

I don't know. I don't know why it is an issue for the party of Lincoln, founded on the defense of human rights.

"Absent a right to life, what do rights mean?"

Absent an INALIENABLE right to life, one that doesn't accrue to a human being because of his ability, her actions, but rather because of his or her EXISTENCE, "rights" only mean "I've got mine," and "justice" is really "just us."


sitetest


498 posted on 01/18/2007 6:24:48 PM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: Dark Skies

As you support abortion on demand candidates. And use foul language. Good luck on your journey. But do keep your filthy insults away from me. Don't post to me again.


499 posted on 01/18/2007 6:25:26 PM PST by narses (St Thomas says "lex injusta non obligat.")
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To: Dark Skies
We are at war, Rodney. Who do you suggest should lead this country to victory?

I was living in the far upper west side of NYC, 114th street, when Giuliani became mayor. Almost overnight the streets were cleaned up, the bums were gone, and suddenly it was safe for a college kid to stumble around drunk. He was a great mayor. While I think he was over-zealous on some of his wall street prosecutions, my guess is that he would be a good guy to be up top when we have to worry about justice department lawyers not allowing various intelligence agencies to work together.

Although I am a conservative guy, my most important issue is the size of government. The GOP was elected on the size of government issue. Thinking the issue was won, they turned to social stuff that I agree with, and that they did a good job on, but they left the spending principle behind, and the voters through them out.

For those reasons, I am willing to give up a little on the social stuff if we can get spending restrain back. I don't know how I feel about Giuliani on that. I do think he would be good as a national leader re: WOT and the world arena in general.

I may very well vote for the man, if he were to comfort me on taxes and spending I would definetly vote for him.

However, there is no reason to lie and pretend that the guy is no pro-abortion.

500 posted on 01/18/2007 6:25:43 PM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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