Schneider said Giuliani modified his abortion views "ever so slightly," failed to note two flip-flops
SUMMARY: CNN's Bill Schneider said that Rudy
Giuliani "seems to be modifying his views ever so slightly,"
including on abortion rights. But Schneider did not mention Giuliani's
recent shift on "partial-birth abortion" or his reported reversal on abortion rights in
general in 1989.
CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider said that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) "seems to be modifying his views ever so slightly," pointing to a statement Giuliani made pledging to appoint what he called "strict constructionist" judges. But Schneider, reporting on the February 12 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, did not point to Giuliani's recent reversal on "partial-birth abortion." On the February 5 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, Giuliani said, "If it has provision for the life of the mother, then I would support" a ban on "partial-birth abortion." But as Media Matters for America noted, Giuliani's explanation of his expression of support in 2000 for President Clinton's veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997 and his support for the current law banning "partial-birth abortion" -- that he supports a ban that includes a life-of-the-woman exception -- is not credible because both the current federal ban and several federal bills to ban the procedure proposed in 1997 through 2000 -- including the one vetoed in 1997 by Clinton -- included "an exception to save the mother's life." When asked about a "partial-birth abortion" ban in 2000, Giuliani said he "would vote to preserve the option for women." So, at the time, an exception to protect the life of the woman was not sufficient for him to support the ban. But now that he has filed a statement of candidacy indicating his interest in the GOP nomination, such an exception is apparently enough for the ban to earn his support. Blogger and media critic Greg Sargent has also documented Giuliani's reversal.
Moreover, Giuliani's switch on "partial-birth abortion" is reportedly not his first change of position on abortion rights. Schneider noted that Giuliani was "twice elected mayor of New York ... as a supporter of abortion rights, gay rights, and gun control," but did not note Giuliani's reported change during his losing mayoral bid in 1989. A February 22, 1989, Newsday article reported that leaders of New York's Conservative Party said Giuliani "assured them he was personally opposed to abortion, did not favor government funding or criminal penalties, did favor an exemption in cases of rape or incest, and was in favor of overturning the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion, Roe v. Wade." In an April 9, 1989, New York Times article, Giuliani was quoted as saying, ''I have indicated in the past that as a lawyer, and also for religious reasons, I would be opposed to Roe against Wade. ... That, however, is not something that would come before me as mayor.''
And after the U.S. Supreme Court's July 1989 Webster v. Reproductive Health Services abortion decision, Giuliani reportedly dodged questions about abortion regulation. A July 31, 1989, article in U.S. News & World Report said that Giuliani "has his own pass-off-the-hot-potato approach, arguing that governors control abortion restrictions more than mayors do -- a questionable assertion when it comes to the abortion policies in New York City hospitals." Following the Webster decision, Giuliani reportedly shifted his position to one favoring abortion rights. An October 13, 1989, New York Times article called Giuliani a "support[er of] the right of a woman to choose an abortion." Giuliani said he had "talk[ed] to [his] wife" about the issue following the Webster decision. An October 13, 1989, Associated Press article explained: "Once an outright opponent, [Giuliani] now says he supports abortion rights, and would not seek to reduce funds or services, even though he remains personally opposed."
A leaked 1993 "Rudolph W. Giuliani Vulnerability Study" acknowledged that Giuliani had changed his position on abortion rights. The 1993 "Vulnerability Study" was, as the New York Daily News reported, written by "two Giuliani advisers [who] wrote frankly about how parts of Giuliani's past could come back to haunt him -- from the 'weirdness factor' of his first marriage to his second cousin, to his draft history during the Vietnam War, to his work as assistant attorney general in Reagan's Justice Department." The study warned that Giuliani "is vulnerable on ... his flip-flops on various issues [and] the reversals of many of his major convictions." In its section on Giuliani's "anti-woman" reputation, the study added:
After the Webster decision, abortion became a cutting-edge issue -- and Giuliani started out on the wrong side of the blade.
By the time Giuliani got it right on abortion, it may have been too late to win back the women voters offended by Giuliani's earlier pro-life issue.
Now that Giuliani has been consistently pro-choice for at least four years, the abortion issue should not present the same degree of trouble it did in 1989.
Introducing Schneider's report, host Wolf Blitzer asked, "[A]re [former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt] Romney, Giuliani, and Senator John McCain [R-AZ] all moving to the right, right now?" However, the on-screen text read: "Running to the Right?: McCain & Romney," leaving out Giuliani.
From the 4 p.m. hour of the February 12 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:
BLITZER: But are Romney, Giuliani and Senator John McCain all moving to the right, right now?
Let's turn to our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider -- Bill.
SCHNEIDER: Wolf, tomorrow, Mitt Romney becomes the first of three leading Republicans to declare he's officially running for president.
Now, those three Republicans do have a lot in common.
[begin video clip]
SCHNEIDER: Polls show three candidates leading the Republican field: Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and Mitt Romney. All three are essentially Blue State Republicans who know how to win over Democrats and moderates. That's good, right? In a general election, it is.
But, first, they have to get through the Republican primaries. Giuliani was twice elected mayor of New York, the capital of Blue State America, as a supporter of abortion rights, gay rights, and gun control. Now he seems to be modifying his views ever so slightly.
GIULIANI: And I would appoint judges to the court that were strict constructionists.
SCHNEIDER: Some conservatives aren't buying it.
TONY PERKINS (Family Research Council president): I think Giuliani is unacceptable from the outset.
SCHNEIDER: Giuliani's response? Let's talk about the war on terror.
This is misleading!
I don't know what liberals are complaining about, this is just how the the media handles the political game, it has nothing to do with conservative misinformation. Does anyone really think Bill Schneider isn't a liberal or that he has conservative bias?
The media makes it a business to prop up the rockstar candidates to create hype, they aren't going to pick them apart. Example - Obama. He is pretty much ALL media hype and they give him a pass on EVERYTHING and dont ask him tough questions. I mean next to Hillary the guy is like a little kid, no experience what so ever. He is getting more attention in the media than he deserves for how far he is lagging behind in the polls, but the media makes more $ off of creating a hillary rival and making the dem primary more interesting.
Hillary is going to win the primary, the media knows it, i know it and i can't wait for her to win. Obama is a chain smoking agitated guy according to Ms. Dowd.
Col. The former Mayor is a liberal Republican in my view however he will not win a Republican Primary race for that reason. He is flipflopping on issues to move slightly to the right, but not as much as the horrible Romney who is really flip flopping.
As for your hate toward Senator Clinton, its in your right but you are wrong she will face a tough primary from Obama and Edwards.
Rudy is toast...
According to polls, Giuliani would have an excellent shot at winning the presidency as a cross-over candidate... one that Democrats could vote for too. But, first he has to win the Republican nomination and to do that he needs the "Praise the Lord" crowd. That ain't gonna happen, in my view. Giuliani would have a better shot at the presidency running as a Democrat... or even as a third party candidate. But that ain't gonna happen either. Giuliani will end up being a footnote in history... the Mayor of New York on 9/11.
Sorry, Rudy...
"It's misleading"
Flip Flop Flip Flop
McCain, Giuliani, Brownbeck, Romany and others are all willing to sell themselves to get elected. They will do and say anything to get elected.
Does that sound familiar? It's what the right ALWAYS says about Hillary. Looks like she isn't the only wh*** running.
Col, it must really get your goat all the attention that this young articulate black man is getting.
Col. - It is important for these characters to be consistent... one of the reigning criticisms of H Clinton and, I think, well-deserved. Obama recently answered many 'tough' questions on 60 minutes... all of which, I think, he answered well.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/11/60minutes/main2458530.shtml
I don't know enough about Obama to be a bonified fan, but after reading his comments and his apparent ability to remain true to his word... that goes a long way in my book. Guilliani is a product of the right-wing machine... all of whom say whatever they feel like regardless of yesterday's comments. MMFA has a knack for pointing out the inconsistencies.
Roy?
You said you were going to vote for Hillary. Is that still true? Or have you changed you mind. If not, why are you voting for Hillary?
for one, she is a feminist and despite my other conservative viewpoints i am a feminist as well and want to see the woman make history. i think she will be a good president. she is ruthless, incredibly smart, paid her dues in the senate and been a GOOD senator at that, has wh exp, has the best advisor, and will open more doors for women.
"Ruthless" is a smear of Hillary. I learned that yesterday.
I wasn't sure when you wrote that... but, every 'web' definition is similar to the following...
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ruthless
Sort of 'not very nice'. Frankly, I think it depends on what she would be 'ruthless' toward... stupidity, partisan politics, sexism, etc...? Then, not so bad. Good, in fact. Tad overly sensitive, methinks, by the lefties. In this harsh game of politics, you'd think Hillary would want to be considered ruthless to some degree.
Yes, "Ruthless" was deemed to be a smear or a falsehood by MMFA (or both).
that is the dumbest thing ive ever heard. it's all about what context you use it in. it can come off as an adjective tha would be used for a dictator like saddam but saying one who is ruthless in achieving their endeavors would be a compliment.
"that is the dumbest thing ive ever heard."
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I agree, until the "Colonel's" next post.
Slipper-slope, right? I often view this sort of stuff as somewhat counter-productive. Clinton (in my mind) should be like, "That's right... I'm ruthless toward idiots, greed, etc...You want a piece of this?!" Make it work...instead of cry foul. But, that's just me.
"TONY PERKINS (Family Research Council president): I think Giuliani is unacceptable from the outset."
That's the real bottom line... the Religious Right ain't buying Giuliani's transparent pandering.
Hey Irony,
I don't think Rudy is going far anyway. Too much baggage. And IF he doesn't have the Religious Right on his side he might as well pack it up and go home.
I'm just astounded that anyone out there is even considering this guy as a serious contender. America's Mayor? Yeah whatever...
I bet they'd swallow Rudy as a VP candidate though, provided the top of the ticket was enough of a trog. Brownback-Giuliani?
In the office of every serious contender for the presidency of the U.S. (chosen by the national electorate)...
...on the desk in that office, is a little black box.
On the box is a card, and written on the card is this warning to any serious contender for the presidency:
"Do not under any circumstances open this box... the consequences will prove to be disasterous."
In the little black box not to be opened, by any serious contender for the presidency of the U.S., is just one little thing:
The political issue that is the topic of the above item.
E-mail
2/14/07 Dear Mr. Schneider, In your report today on the Republican presidential candidates, you stated that Rudy Giuliani, “…as a supporter of abortion rights, gay rights and gun control. Now he seems to be modifying his views ever so slightly.”Excuse me, but what right-wing planet are you and Wolf on today? Rudy Giuliani has flip-flopped on the abortion issue so many times that he doesn’t even know himself if he’s pro-life or pro-choice. But you wouldn’t want to tell your audience about that, would you? No, your right-wing corporate masters wouldn’t approve of that, would they? Saint Rudy couldn’t possibly be a flip-flopper, he’s just modifying his positions “ever so slightly.”
Please stand up and do your job. It takes a little backbone to be a real journalist.Your 2007 MediaMatters “Valentine’s Day” Match-up…!
“[D]espite my other conservative viewpoints [I] am a feminist as well…”
And with that culled declarative from Col.RoyC, one scans further— the bowed tree limb to find…Tommy!
Tommy & the Colonel, Squatting in a tree; C-O-M-P-L-A-I-N-ING… So what else is new…?
Happy Valentine’s to one & all.