Neither is conservative.
It is not possible to be a political or social conservative and also be anti-life. It is possible to be pro-life and not be a political conservative.
So, your question suggests you would vote for an anti-life Rino over a pro-life true conservative.
Why do you hang out at Free Republic?
See, this Manichean dichotomy is why FR is becoming more and more like DU every day. If you don't agree 100% with the party line, you're a "RINO" who shouldn't be here.
There are many different ways one could be "conservative." A conservative could easily hold that abortion is a State question, or that abortion is a relative non-issue compared to the war in Iraq and the WOT, and so think Giuliani is the best choice.
Not all Conservatives see everything the same way. Some conservatives are into realpolitik. Others are more libertarian. Still others are Christian right. These groups don't see everything in lockstep.
Maybe because I'm a conservative? There is more to being a conservative than just being a rabid anti-abortion activist.
Sadly, I have no doubt in my mind that many of you would vote for a Hugo Chavez clone if he was anti-abortion.
“It is possible to be pro-life and not be a political conservative.”
So, I have to ask - would you automatically vote for Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, a staunch, pro-lifer who is otherwise leftist to moderate on many other issues of great import to most conservatives over a more hard-line conservative who wasn’t as strongly pro-life as Smith?
Before answering, here are some of Smith’s (most recent I could find) ratings:
“F” from Citizens for Tax Justice (career)
“D+” National Rifle Association (2006)
42% National Taxpayers Union rating (2005)
92% Family Research Council (2005) Dobson’s group.
73% Public Interest Research Group (2006) founded by Nader
43% American Land Rights Assn. (2006)
60% American Conservative Union (2005)
71% National Organization for Women (2005)
75% National Education Association (2005)
100% Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) (2005)
Further, according to Wikipedia, Smith voted with the Dems on 5 of the 6 bills proposed during Pelosi’s 100 Hour Plan. The only bill he voted against concerned embryonic stem cell research/funding.
Again, Smith is perfect on abortion - but on most other issues he is liberal to moderate. Would you vote for him over a harder-line conservative who was not perfect on the abortion issue? I would. In a minute.
For the record, I am not supporting Rudy, which is what some will think as a result of this post. I am supporting Fred Thompson, should he enter the race - and Duncan Hunter if Fred opts to not enter. Further, I am overjoyed at the Supreme Court ruling banning PBA and I think Roe should be overturned.