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Rudy: Switching on guns, abortion
AM New York ^ | 4/20/07

Posted on 04/20/2007 9:07:37 AM PDT by Mr. Brightside

Rudy: Switching on guns, abortion

BY CRAIG GORDON

craig.gordon@newsday.com

April 19, 2007, 9:21 PM EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Rudolph Giuliani Thursday linked the 1995 bombing of a federal building here to the Virginia Tech massacre by speaking in the role he wants Republicans to remember -- the leader who guided another terror-battered city through tragedy.

But this week's events highlight another side of Giuliani -- the presidential candidate who once bluntly rejected some of his party's core beliefs, only to switch his stances now to walk in step with GOP faithful.

Giuliani this week issued statements on gun control and late-term abortion that differ sharply from his previous positions, opening him up to "flip-flop" charges by activists. The gun control switch seems particularly stark.

As New York mayor, Giuliani didn't just support tough controls -- he became former President Bill Clinton's go-to Republican to lobby a GOP Congress to back an assault-weapons ban.

Later, Giuliani joined a lawsuit against gun makers and called for a "uniform law passed by Congress" to regulate handgun ownership.

This week, however, his campaign didn't mention that. Instead, spokeswoman Maria Comella said, "He supports reasonable restrictions and believes that in most cases it's best left up to the states to determine what those restrictions are."

Giuliani said Thursday the Virginia Tech massacre calls out for solutions, but he ducked questions about whether one such solution would be greater gun control.

On the abortion issue, Giuliani issued a statement praising the Supreme Court for its decision Wednesday upholding a ban on so-called partial-birth abortion. But as recently as 2000, he was still voicing support for allowing the procedure.

During the campaign, Giuliani has stood by his support for abortion rights more broadly. Comella defended Giuliani's position now, saying the ban upheld by Congress is "fundamentally different" from the one he opposed in the past, because it now includes scientific findings about protecting the life of the mother.

Charles Cook, an independent political analyst in Washington, said the perception that Giuliani is switching positions for political convenience could cause him trouble with Republican voters -- though he's already in trouble with some for his initial positions on gun control and abortion.

"Whether people see him as a flip-flopper, or whether people see him as out of the Republican mainstream, either way it's a problem," Cook said. "The more the gun issue is in the news, the more abortion is in the news, the harder it is for Rudy Giuliani."


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; banglist; elections; flipflop; giuliani; julieannie; prolife; rudyonabortion; rudyonguns; stoprudy2008
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To: Mr. Brightside

Slip slidin’ away...slip slidin’ away...

I see Rudy’s chances, slip slidin’ away...


21 posted on 04/20/2007 9:43:39 AM PDT by mkjessup (Jan 20, 2009 - "We Don't Know. Where Rudy Went. Just Glad He's Not. The President. Burma Shave.")
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To: Mr. Brightside

Now he’s a liar AND a liberal.

What a terrible choice for any position.

I wouldnt vote him dog catcher.


22 posted on 04/20/2007 9:45:53 AM PDT by dman4384
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To: EagleUSA

Move to the right for the primaries, move back to the left for the general election. These views will last until the day after the primaries.


23 posted on 04/20/2007 9:46:09 AM PDT by MtnClimber (Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.)
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To: TheRiverNile
You fill in the blank: “A vote for Rudy is a vote for _____”

See tagline.

24 posted on 04/20/2007 9:47:43 AM PDT by kevkrom (A vote for Guiliani is a vote to kill conservatism.)
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To: sono
"Well, Ronald Reagan used to be a Democrat ..."

Yes, but that was long before the Democrats turned into Commies, Socialists, and America-Haters. He also recognized when they began to change to what they are today and changed parties.

25 posted on 04/20/2007 9:57:12 AM PDT by penowa (NO more Bushes; NO more Clintons EVER!)
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To: Mr. Brightside

“But he promises to fill the judiciary with strict constitutionist flip/floppers.”

I’m sure he wholeheartedly believes that Sara Brady is a strict constitutionist and would make a fine justice.


26 posted on 04/20/2007 10:02:03 AM PDT by FreeInWV
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To: showme_the_Glory
I understand everyone’s firm opposition to Rudy. I disagree with him on countless issues including gun control and abortion. I also am a dedicated Fredhead. I have no doubt that Fred Thompson is positively the best man to lead this country and represent conservative Republicans in the primary and in the general election.

However, should Rudy win the primary and represent the Republican party in the general election, I think we should all be ready to support him totally against the Hildabeast.

I would therefore warn against this constant Rudy bashing. Let’s save our ammo for the general.

27 posted on 04/20/2007 10:09:45 AM PDT by Mister Politics (www.misterpolitics.com)
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To: EagleUSA

Maybe he’s just a whore...


28 posted on 04/20/2007 10:11:00 AM PDT by babygene (Never look into the laser with your last good eye...)
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To: Mister Politics
“I think we should all be ready to support him totally against the Hildabeast.”

Nope... The six adult members of my family here in Idaho won’t. We’ll campaign for a third party.

29 posted on 04/20/2007 10:13:45 AM PDT by babygene (Never look into the laser with your last good eye...)
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To: EagleUSA; All

Rudy is a pathological liar!!


30 posted on 04/20/2007 10:14:07 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! Or Rudy/Hillary if you want to murder conservatism)
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To: Mr. Brightside

I always thought Rudy would modify some of his positions on abortion and gun control, once he got away from the liberal bastion of NYC and into a national campaign.

I’m not sure the word “lying” applies as directly and strictly in the world of politics as it does in the private life of most working American citizens.

Although I am a conservative, I like Rudy and think we could do worse (McCain). I think he is pulling in his horns (heh heh) on these issues a little bit; the “state’s rights” gambit gives him cover. Seems like good politics to me.

If Fred Thompson or Newt Gingrich get into the race, I’ll consider them very seriously, but right now I like Rudy. The main goal is defeating the Dims. They are the true enemy.

And, being an optimist, I think there is always the possibility that Rudy is gaining wisdom, and evolving into a more conservative individual!


31 posted on 04/20/2007 10:14:29 AM PDT by karnage
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To: kevkrom

See my tagline : )


32 posted on 04/20/2007 10:15:36 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! Or Rudy/Hillary if you want to murder conservatism)
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To: Mr. Brightside

Rudy the RINO is starting to squirm. He’s realizing more and more Republicans and conservatives are seeing his liberal Dem positions and looking for other candidates. He’s a flip flopper doing this to garner the conservative vote. He’ll switch back after the primary when he and Sen Cankles run campaigns on nearly identical platforms. He’ll never get my vote.


33 posted on 04/20/2007 10:25:00 AM PDT by Pinkbell (Hunter/Thompson)
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To: Mister Politics

With all due respect, I will continue to hold onto my conservative ideals and only cast my vote for candidates that share them. Unfortunately Rudy has many problems in the conservative arena. You sir may campaign for Rudy elsewhere. How bout you ping Jim Robinson with your thoughts, I bet he would love to hear from you.


34 posted on 04/20/2007 10:29:16 AM PDT by showme_the_Glory (No more rhyming, and I mean it! ..Anybody want a peanut.....)
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To: M203M4

“Oh, don’t worry. He will also claim to be 100% consistent during the general election (if he manages to emerge the Republican nominee, *gag*) when he drifts back to his natural home on the left and extols the virtues of gun control, taxpayer funded abortion on demand, and nanny-state government policy.”

And the Rudy-Bots here and elsewhere will tell you that it is your patriotic duty to vote for a gun controlling, taxpayer funding abortion on demand, and nanny-state government policy wonk, or you are not a true “conservative.”


35 posted on 04/20/2007 10:31:42 AM PDT by Grunthor (Outside a dog a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark to read.)
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To: Mr. Brightside

I admire Guiliani, and he demonstrated he’s a ‘good man in a storm’ during and after the 9/11 attacks.

But I won’t vote for a nominee that has his track record on the Second Amendment and gay rights.

As for his judicial preferences....what he’s claiming isn’t supported by his own acts while holding previous jobs, as this article demonstrates clearly.

He’ll do well in a cabinet position in a GOP administration.


36 posted on 04/20/2007 10:31:42 AM PDT by Badeye (Sally's not well? No kidding....)
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To: Mister Politics

“However, should Rudy win the primary and represent the Republican party in the general election, I think we should all be ready to support him totally against the Hildabeast.”

If a disgusting liberal puke is going to destroy this nation, I’d just as soon the letter after their name NOT be an “R”.


37 posted on 04/20/2007 10:35:48 AM PDT by Grunthor (Outside a dog a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark to read.)
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To: Mr. Brightside
He's got to think conservatives are a pack of complete fools.
38 posted on 04/20/2007 10:59:24 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (There are people in power who are truly evil.)
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To: Mr. Brightside
Giuliani said Thursday the Virginia Tech massacre calls out for solutions, but he ducked questions about whether one such solution would be greater gun control.

His response to the 1997 Empire State Building shooting was to call up then-freshman Dem Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (now the leading gun-grabber in Congress) to invite her to a presser calling for more federal gun control laws.

So his ducking the issue as to what he'd do about the VT shooting sets off alarm bells.

39 posted on 04/20/2007 11:50:10 AM PDT by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08/But Fred would also be great)
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To: trisham
"He supports reasonable restrictions and believes that in most cases it's best left up to the states to determine what those restrictions are."

Reasonable restrictions? Given Rudy's past history, his idea of reasonable restrictions is more in line with the Brady Center than the rank and file of the GOP.

40 posted on 04/20/2007 11:51:54 AM PDT by dirtboy (Duncan Hunter 08/But Fred would also be great)
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