Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani describes his position on abortion using the "I'm personally opposed" strategy that was developed by Mario Cuomo in 1985. You see, Giuliani "disagrees with abortion", he "opposes it", and "thinks it is wrong". In fact, he feels so strong about the issue that he told a group of students in Houston that he "hates" abortion and finds it immoral.
Why does Giuliani "hate" abortion? No one feels moral outrage when a tumor is removed or a medical procedure is performed to address the health needs of another. The parallel and reference back to Cuomo indicates quite clearly Giuliani is implying that abortion is wrong because it kills a baby in the womb.
Child killing in the womb - Giuliani hates it, he recognizes the gross injustice involved when an innocent life is taken.
Yet, he believes a woman's "right to abortion" is a private matter and should be legally protected and supported by public funding. What? Legally protect the immoral practice of killing an unborn baby?
An obvious flaw in his position is the assertion that the violation of a fundamental right, the right to life, should be viewed as a private matter. Michael Gerson, writing for the Washington Post, remarks, "When morality demands respect for the rights of a human being, those protections become a matter of social justice, not just personal or religious preference."
The innocent life that deserves our sympathy, according to Giuliani, does not merit rights or justice and the supposed right to privacy he recognizes violates a more basic right to life.
The rationale of being (personally) opposed to child killing but, as a governing official, and not acting upon the same is dubious and intellectually dishonest. Although Giuliani's position on social justice is carefully crafted, it is contradictory, incoherent and exposes his low view of human life and justice for the unborn. As a litumus test, seeking justice by standing up for the sanctity of human life is fairly basic and Giuliani fails miserably.
Related:
- Social Conservatives: Dump Giuliani
Giuliani a Social Conservative? Hardly
Giuliani and the pro-life vote
Related Updates::
Giuliani is the only major GOP candidate who supports abortion rights. In April, he modified his previously firm position against the ban on partial birth abortion:
... [Giuliani] praised the court for upholding the ban on the midterm procedure. "The Supreme Court reached the correct conclusion in upholding the congressional ban on partial-birth abortion," Giuliani said in a statement. "I agree with it."He also confused Larry King:
And, earlier this year he affirmed his position in favor of taxpayer funding for abortion:
Compare Giuliani on abortion to John Kerry:
"I'm against partial-birth abortion, as are many people." - John Kerry to Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday (January 25, 2004)There's not much of a difference because both employ the strategy that was developed by Mario Cuomo in 1985."I oppose abortion, personally. I don't like abortion. I believe life does begin at conception." - John Kerry, July 5, 2004
Get off your soap box. Who died and made you God? Do not point a finger at others because four are pointing back at you. You are guilty of far worse than Rudy - you hate.
Get off your soap box. Who died and made you God? Do not point a finger at others because four are pointing back at you. You are guilty of far worse than Rudy - you hate - and when one hates the Bibles says that is the same as - equal to - murder. Be careful the way and how you judge, lest you be guilty of worse.
Beyond pointing out your use of ad hominem to counter my evaluation of Giuliani there's really nothing for me to reply to.... sorry. However, I think it would be interesting to know your opinion regarding Michael Gerson and Ramesh Ponnuru's evaluation of the strategy developed by Mario Cuomo and whether or not you think it has been adopted by Giuliani.
Please refer to counter-arguments:
The Contradiction of Support for Giuliani, The "Great Sinner"
and Contradictions, Flip-flops and Presidential Politics and Deconstructing the Rudy Myth
Of course, it is a free country and we are all free to support or vote for candidates of our choice. The problem really arises when choice is clouded by emotion. From witnessing his behavior as Mayor of NYC, while he is to be admired for his actions during and after the Sept. 11th attacks, his extreme temper and poor judgment in people should disqualify him from consideration. But it won't for some people.
From Stormwarning's post, "In most aspects of life, the "Religious Right" plays it strictly Conservative. But when it comes to Rudy, many of the important things are suddenly not so important - abortion, gay marriage, amnesty for illegal immigrants, marital infidelity and his failed sense of responsibility for his son. This is a clear contradiction of values and in judgment." -- excellent point.
Full disclosure if it wasn't already clear from reading my posts. I am pro-choice. I am also anti-Rudy.
Without getting into deep detail, I think that his performance during and after the attacks is to be admired by history. His hair-trigger temper and his poor judgment in people should not and cannot be ignored. Frankly, realistically, I also don't see how he can deliver on his 12 promises. That, of course, remains to be seen. But I think he's politicking to the masses of people who will believe what they want to believe and ignore facts.
Thanks - I was aware of your pro-choice position. However, I think we agree with elements of the Giuliani campaign. One thing you probably realize is that voters on both sides of the isle tend to make candidates into the person they want to vote for. I think this is particularly the case with Giuliani and social conservatives are in a state of denial.
OK, then as long as its clear. I'll answer the question, at least partially that I don't expect will be answered (above). Mario Cuomo was as much the "great orator" as was Reagan. He was also politically expedient, just like Giuliani. Giuliani is also quite the orator himself.
Its simply amazing what "some" people will believe. As a Republican I am distressed that the party hasn't coalesced (yet) around a winnable candidate. I haven't made this prediction on my own blog yet, but it has occurred to me that this may be the election of a real 3rd party run. The split of the Republican party is becoming more and more evident with each debate, and with each passing week. And we still have over 16 months until the Election.