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There is no whitewashing Rudy's personal life, but I do think people tend to over-generalize his abortion and gay rights positions. On abortion, he supports the PBA ban, so long as there is a provision for the life of the mother, which there is. And he has said he would appoint Alito-type judges, so I'm not worried about abortion. I am concerned about him funding stem-cell research. As for gay rights, again, that is a broad issue. Rudy opposes gay marriage, but supports civil unions. I have no problem with civil unions -- so long as they don't force private businesses to treat the union as they would a traditional marriage. For example, I don't think an employer should be forced to pay health benefits for the "domestic partner" -- gay or straight -- of an employee, unless he chooses to. I am very confident in Rudy's ability to fight the War on Terror, so I think, in that respect, he would be a great president. He wouldn't be my first choice, but I would certainly support him in the general.

Rudy opposes gay marriage, but supports civil unions. I have no problem with civil unions -- so long as they don't force private businesses to treat the union as they would a traditional marriage. For example, I don't think an employer should be forced to pay health benefits for the "domestic partner" -- gay or straight -- of an employee, unless he chooses to.

If civil unions are ever officially recognized, then they will have to come with benefits. It's all about the legality of the union. If you begin by recognizing the union, it would be unconstitutional not to give them the benefits of an officially recognized union. Gay rights activists are not fighting for a piece of paper to frame and hang on their wall.