Some of us kinda chuckled when Rudy Giuliani announced his presidential candidacy. Why on earth would the Grand Old Party (home to Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition) throw its support behind the former mayor of New York City, who publicly asserts he is pro-choice and pro-gay rights?? Jerry Falwell is convulsing in his grave.
An odd stance for a Republican, that's for sure. But with how incredibly polarized the parties have become today, it's somewhat refreshing to find someone brave enough to walk outside his party line....right?
Well, just how "pro-choice" are you, Mr. G? Sure, you throw that word around to pique the liberals' interests, but honestly, just how does your party tolerate you?
Taking a closer look at Giuliani's record, he's pretty damn similar to an anti-choice Republican - the only difference is that he calls himself "pro-choice."
Like his anti-choice cronies, Giuliani supports parental notification laws and the so-called "partial birth" abortion ban (a false medical term used to describe the dilation-and-extraction method). He also said he'd appoint "strict constructionist" judges to the Supreme Court, similar to Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts and Samuel Alito (his examples) - all of which are anti-choice and do not support Roe v. Wade.
When Giuliani first ran for NYC mayor in 1989, he assured his Republican party that he personally opposed abortion. Public funding? Ew, no! Roe v. Wade? Yucky!
I guess as Election Day loomed closer, Rudy realized he couldn't possibly win anything in New York Fucking City if he was anti-abortion. He issued a statement in the New York Times:
"As mayor, Rudy Giuliani will uphold a woman's right of choice to have an abortion. Giuliani will fund all city programs which provide abortions to insure that no woman is deprived of her right due to an inability to pay. He will oppose reductions in state funding. He will oppose making abortion illegal. Although Giuliani is personally opposed to abortion, his personal views will not interfere with his responsibilities as mayor."
Too little, too late - Giuliani lost the election on account of his flip-flopping, but won in 1993. Not because he changed anything regarding his views on abortion - he just started calling himself "pro-choice." Hey, it's what New Yorkers wanted to hear.
And now, Rudy's using what he learned and applying it to his campaign for the presidency: Run as a "pro-choicer," so you can gain some liberal votes, but promise your conservative base that you're really on their side - all while making a mockery of the issues.
Good strategy, Rudy - now go home and curl up on Pat Robertson's lap. You know, the evangelist guy who's endorsing you? The one who agreed with Jerry Falwell when he said we got what we deserved on 9/11 because of "abortionists"...
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