On Glenn Beck, NY Times' Healy relayed Giuliani spin that he "will not backtrack" on abortion -- but he already has
On the February 14 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck, discussing former Gov. Mitt Romney's (R-MA) change in position on abortion and gay rights, guest host Michael Smerconish said, "I would have more respect for a candidate ... who had a viewpoint with which I disagree but who stood his or stood her ground." New York Times reporter Patrick Healy responded that "that's what" former New York City Mayor Rudy's Giuiliani's (R) "people are saying. ... [T]hey're insisting that Rudy will not backtrack on his support for abortion rights. But if he did that, he'd be killed." However, as Media Matters for America has documented, Giuliani has already "backtrack[ed] on his support for abortion rights" while denying that he has done so, which The New York Times itself has reported.
A February 10 article by Healy's New York Times colleague Ray Rivera noted that Giuliani had changed his position on "partial-birth abortion" and noted that his aides' justification for saying that he had not shifted his position on the issue did not hold up:
On the issue of a disputed abortion procedure called "partial-birth abortion" by opponents, he told Mr. Hannity that a ban signed into law by President Bush in 2003, which the Supreme Court is reviewing, should be upheld.
[...]
[But] [a]sked by Tim Russert on "Meet the Press" in 2000 if he supported President Bill Clinton's veto of a law that would have banned the disputed abortion procedure, Mr. Giuliani said, "I would vote to preserve the option for women." He added, "I think the better thing for America to do is to leave that choice to the woman, because it affects her probably more than anyone else."
[...]
Mr. Giuliani's campaign aides say his positions on abortion have not changed, and that his stand on what critics call partial-birth abortions has been mischaracterized, saying he opposed a ban only if it failed to include an exception to protect the life of the mother. But the ban vetoed by President Clinton did include such an exception.
So, in 2000, 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.
From the February 14 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:
SMERCONISH: It's funny you say that. I have this vision of the '08 convention for the D's, you know, where -- where -- they're handing out the flip-flops, and they're saying, "Look at this guy on abortion and gay rights."
I have to tell you something. I would have more respect for a candidate -- this is just me talking -- who had a viewpoint with which I disagreed but who stood his or stood her ground, rather than somebody on the important issue of abortion or gay rights who all of a sudden has a -- you know, an -- an epiphany.
HEALY: Well, that's what Rudy Giuliani's people are saying. You know, we'll see what happens, but they're insisting that Rudy will not backtrack on his support for abortion rights. But if he did that, he'd be killed.
SMERCONISH: But he's -- he's already -- Patrick, he's already talking, you know, strict constructionism. What does that mean --
HEALY: Sure.
SMERCONISH: -- other than a tip of the hat to the pro-life crowd? Let me ask you a question that puzzles me. John McCain -- and I like him very, very much. How do McCain's numbers continue to rise at a time when support for the war dissipates, goes through the floor?
Heil Giuliani , Facism returns.
Yes, Facism.
You better hope he doesn't make it out of the Republican Primary. The American public will vote for him in overwhelming numbers b/c he stands for what many Democrats stand for. Gun-control, pro-choice, gay rights.
Now what are you libs gonna do...yell for socialism??
LDoren, Republicans will vote for Giuliani just like they voted for Bush. As long as he follows the talking points, Republicans will run out and cast their vote.
Giuliani is a wh**e who is selling himself at any cost. He has said that he will adhere to all thing Republicans. He will not be pro-choice or gay. McCain is also selling himself to the highest bidder. The problem with Republicans is they have allowed their party to become attached to the christian right wing, who have NO IDEA what it means to truly be a Christian. They teach my way or the highway, intolerance and we are only God's children IF we agree with ALL that they believe.
LDoren, who is the last politician of either party who raised gun control as a major issue ?
Pro-choice and gay rights are just small government/personal responsibility/ human rights positions that any real American supports, not only Democrats.
Evil- Is that not alittle overboard? Facism and Guiliani? Could you be more specific?
I would like to know who LDoren would vote for President if the election were held today.
Rudy, you've BEEN A MAYOR. What experience have you in NATIONAL politics?
You're too inexperienced, bub!
I seem to recall that Rudy was the GOP's pick to go up against Hillary as Senator from New York. He HAD his chance, and in a state where his name recognition was the highest, and IN THE WAKE OF his so-called "heroic" performance during 9/11.
What did he do? He bailed. He looked at the numbers, found out he couldn't possibly win, so he dropped out.
Same Rudy today.
It's an interesting nomination dilemma for the GOPers, though. Vote FOR Rudy, and get a big-time social LIBERAL, or DO NOT vote for him because he's not "conservative" enough, wind up with a Bush clone who cannot possibly win the general election.
Yup. The Republics are screwed every which way.
Will Giuliani backtrack on pee smell? Voters want to know.
I would vote for Rudy long before Schillary, but the libs should be happy. If Rudy makes it out of the primaries, we can choose between a Conservative Democrat (at best) or a Socialist.
Who's the socialist?
Guiliani also says he's going to appoint "strict constructionists:"
http://www.keshertalk.com/archives/2007/02/strictgiuliani.php
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/9941.html
KING: Let’s move to some things domestic. You’ve had some quotes lately that — that seem contradictory. I know you’re pro-choice, you’ve always been pro-choice.
GIULIANI: I am.
KING: Yet you’ll say you’ll appoint judges who are strict constructionists. If that’s the case, they’re going to vote to overturn “Roe v. Wade,” which you don’t want.
GIULIANI: I don’t know that. You don’t know that.
KING: Well, what is strict constructionist?
GIULIANI: Well, OK, there are a lot of ways to explain that. I mean (UNINTELLIGIBLE)…
Why anybody would support Guliani for president is simply beyond me. The guy isnt qualified to be President just because he was Mayor of NYC on September 11 2001, and that is ALL HE HAS. Being Mayor on 9/11 doesnt make you tough. It doesnt make you an expert on National Security (the funniest claim I've heard from Guliani worshippers in the media) any more than being in a car accident makes you an expert mechanic.
Guliani is pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control, etc. etc. Actually, I can see why people would support Guliani for President- I just dont see why REPUBLICANS would. And as a Democrat, I wouldnt support him because again, he ISNT QUALIFIED to do anything except ignore the civil liberties of immigrants and the homeless (oh yeah, there's a reason for Republicans to support him...)
LDoren seems to be rubbing his hands with glee at the dilemma Liberals will be in if Guliani is the GOP candidate. Um, how about the dilemma CONSERVATIVES will be in, LD? Or are you admitting that principles dont really mean anything to these people- just power? That their desire for power is so great, they'll happily rally behind a straw man who does not share their principles but who WILL keep them on top?
Where is the pro-life crowd when the dead soldiers arrive back home in coffins? Where is the pro-life crowd when Bush invaded a Muslim country for faked reasons? Where is the pro-life crowd When thousands of innocent muslims were taken to Gitmo without any rights whatsoever, even less rights than newly-borns! Will the pro-life crowd please stand up, so we can shoot you through the nuts and kick some sense into your head.
SAVE DEMOCRACY, VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT!!
This guy managed to acquire a desk in the most relevant news room on the planet, then drops to his knees to apease for the likes of a "skinhead" commentator!!
Nytimes.com say it aint so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!