Rudy Giuliani stuck closely to his anti-terror message on the campaign trail yesterday, embracing President Bush and avoiding reporters' questions at an Iowa stump stop amid criticism of his position on abortion at the Republican debate.Bad move. Rudy has a festering open wound with those in the GOP who care deeply about abortion and want it stopped. Not talking about it will just let it fester. While acknowledging his personal views on abortion, he needs to immediately reaffirm that he will support conservative judges on the supreme court.It was Giuliani's first public appearance since some conservative and political watchers faulted his performance in Thursday's face-off, in which he painted himself as Ronald Reagan's political heir but failed to offer a clear message on abortion rights.
Aides to Giuliani were hoping to put an end to the story line that he'd tripped himself up in the debate. The former New York mayor, who usually makes himself available to the media at campaign stops, declined to address reporters.
A month ago he could have simply used the term "strict constructionist" and let it go at that. Everyone would have understood what was meant; a judge that would overturn Roe. But now he has successfully mangled the meaning of strict constructionist. To repair the damage he must affirm support for conservative judges in the mold of Thomas, Scalia, Alito, and Roberts. And he must say the word "conservative". Say anything else or say nothing and watch your polls slide into oblivion.
Not talking to reporters is damage control. You do not want to be, or seen to be, in damage control mode.
This isn't helping either.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. As to Mayor Giuliano as a presidential candidate, has the fair and balanced investigative media looked into the activities of Giuliano Inc.? Do his acivities, or those of his corporation reflect in any way on his ethical rights to his candidacy?
Al Rich at 4:09PM on May 5th 2007
2. I'm sick & tired about all this B*%#)!~T about Guliani been a hero on 911!! No hero here,he did what any other big city mayor would have to do in (GOD FORBID)a crisis. Talk about credible candidates_______________PLEASE!! He platforms on I was NYC mayor @ the time of 911!!
Manuel at 4:48PM on May 5th 2007
3. The position I have heard Rudy take on abortion, being personally against it but believing it to be a woman's decision, sounds reasonable to me.
On the matter of judges, favoring those that follow the constitution rather than try to rewrite it from the bench, also sounds reasonable.
If it gets him in trouble in the primary, so be it. I wouldn't suggest a philosophical conversion just to get elected. Its dishonest.
These candidates will be elected based on who they are, not the facade they show. You in the media and the blogoshere will show us the real persons.
Steve Bonomo at 6:24PM on May 5th 2007
4. STEVE BONOMO Writes:These candidates will be elected based on who they are, not the facade they show. You in the media and the blogoshere will show us the real persons.
Excuse me? The blogosphere may indeed show the real person, but MSM certainly allowed Bush43 to paint the most false facade, ever!
tom rogers at 8:09PM on May 5th 2007
5. I agree and some of his comments afterwards did not help him either.
http://todaypolitics.blogspot.com/
bloggershaven at 4:13PM on May 6th 2007
6. Giulianni is an ABORTION.
Tony at 11:52PM on May 6th 2007
7. Giulianni is an ABORTION.
Tony at 11:50PM on May 6th 2007
8. If guiliani thinks abortion is a big problem for him, wait till the firefigthers start telling their stories. This is what they think of him.
http://www.firefightingnews.com/article-US.cfm?articleID=27125
maleinfl at 4:59AM on May 7th 2007
9. All Dem-Liberal crowd is jubilant because they say Rudy hurt himself with his stance on abortion.
But instead his position is very clear:
-- he hates abortions.
-- he would advice a woman not to have it, and rather give the baby up for adoption instead.
--in his 8 years as Mayor, abortions went down and adoptions went up.
--will elect conservative Supreme Court judges.
--in controversial issues such as abortion, gun control, firearms, gay marriages etc. the decision is best left to the individual States, until a national consensus is reached.
--in the end, he feels that the woman should make the
ultimate decision.
MORE CLEAR THAN THIS?
All very clear and, to me, very reasonable. And very much in line with what he always said.
One would expect the Libs-Dems to accept his position.
But the assaulted him accusing of flip-flopping, bungling, trying to obscure the debate and so on.
Their game is clear; they want to eliminate a strong opponent who very likely will beat Hillary.
If (a big if) the Republicans will nominate him, he may win.
Dominick at 9:07AM on May 7th 2007
10. Rudy's not going any where. The rest of his problems are yet to come!!!
Ed at 1:13PM on May 7th 2007