Politics
Tuesday April 10, 2007
Rudy Giuliani Tells South Carolina Conservatives: I’m personally opposed to abortion but it’s a woman’s choice
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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.
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