Tuesday April 10, 2007

Rudy Giuliani Tells South Carolina
Conservatives: I’m personally opposed
to abortion but it’s a woman’s choice

By Meg Jalsevac

COLUMBIA, S.C., April 10, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com)
– Last Thursday, Rudy Giuliani made a campaign
stop to speak to the strongly conservative GOP
population of South Carolina and to defend his
pro-abortion stance. “Ultimately I believe it's an
individual right and a woman should make that
choice.”

Giuliani has previously explained his position
saying that, though he may personally oppose
abortion, “you have to leave that to a disagreement
of conscience, and you have to respect the choice
that somebody makes.”

Giuliani was in South Carolina to accept three
endorsements in his effort to claim the GOP
nomination for the upcoming 2008 presidential
campaign.

Giuliani is best known for his reputation as the
tough-talking but highly successful mayor of
New York City especially during the time of the
2001 terrorist attacks. Despite his success in
New York City, conservative critics have
expressed concern over his bid for the GOP
nomination due to his permissive views on
social issues such as abortion and gay rights.

On Thursday, Giuliani confirmed his previous
statements that he would not work to change
current abortion law and was unapologetic
regarding his abortion views despite the
pro-life opposition that he faced in the
southern state.

“I tell people what I think. I tell them (to)
evaluate me as I am and do not expect them
to agree with me on everything. I don't agree
with me on everything. If that's the most
important thing, then I'm comfortable with
the fact you won't vote for me.”

Giuliani’s visit to South Carolina coincided
with a state-wide effort to legislate a
requirement for a pregnant woman to see
an ultrasound image of her baby before
being permitted to seek an abortion. If the
proposed law passes, SC will be the first state
to mandate the ultrasound images. Several
other states only require that the woman be
given the opportunity to see the images before
deciding on abortion.

Giuliani commented on the legislation saying
that the individual states should be left to decide
such matters. He also reiterated his belief in the
individual states’ right to decide matters in regard
to public funding for abortion.

His campaign aides declared that, should Giuliani
become president, he would not seek to change
current law regarding public funding for abortion.
The existing federal law only provides for public
funding for abortions in cases of rape, incest or
when the life of the mother is in danger.

Giuliani also reiterated his intent to appoint “strict
constructionist judges” although conservatives
have questioned his definition of “strict
constructionist” in light of his abortion views.

“If I'm going to appoint strict constructionist
judges, which I'm going to do, for the reason
that they are going to strictly interpret the
Constitution, then, as president, I have to
be a strict constructionist. The present state
of the law on these issues is not something
that I would seek to change.”

Alexia Newman, the state Republican Party
vice chairwoman who also runs a pregnancy
care center, said that she felt duped by Giuliani’s
comments regarding judicial appointees.

Syndicated columnist, Cal Thomas previously
commented on similar claims made by Giuliani.
Thomas said, “If Giuliani believes in a strict
construction interpretation of the Constitution,
he could not support abortion, because a strict
constructionist does not find language permitting
it. For him to take the position he does on
abortion and then to say he would nominate
strict constructionists to the bench twists him
and the law into a pretzel.”

Conservatives and political analysts in South
Carolina were skeptical of Giuliani’s chances in
the southern state after hearing his unapologetic
abortion stance. Dave Woodard, a political
scientist from Clemson University said, “He’s
toast. I think it’s going to be really hard for him
to overcome this in South Carolina.”

Giuliani has also come under fire from
conservative groups for his support of gay
rights. While Giuliani says that he opposes
gay marriage, he also opposed a federal
amendment banning gay marriage. He has
previously stated that he supports civil unions.

During his term as mayor of New York, he
signed domestic partnership legislation which
recognized both heterosexual and homosexual
couples. Mayor Giuliani attended every New
York City gay pride parade during his 8 year
tenure and even led the 2001 parade at the
invitation of the organizers.

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/apr/07041008.html

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