Pure Horserace: Is Rudy Too Moderate?

Giuliani's Support For Abortion Funding Could Be Too Much For GOP Conservatives

(CBS)  Rudy Giuliani's continued first-place finishes in polls of Republican primary voters has always been somewhat surprising: Yes, Giuliani has the name recognition that usually helps candidates out at this early stage, but it's also never been a secret that he doesn't adhere to the socially conservative views held by a large chuck of the GOP base. In fact, his views on abortion, gay rights and gun control have been the dominant focus of media coverage of his campaign — that, and his troubled personal life.

But judging by some recent statements, Giuliani isn't exactly trying to soothe conservative concerns. On TV and during a swing through the early primary state of South Carolina, Giuliani has reaffirmed his support for public financing of abortions for women who cannot afford them.

"Ultimately I believe it's an individual right, and a woman should make that choice," he said.

Republicans' views on abortion are not uniform. Some want them banned outright, some want to allow it only in cases of rape and incest and others favor full abortion rights. But, in a party that views public funding of even non-controversial medical procedures with skepticism, putting taxpayer money toward abortions is pretty much off the table.

In the past, Giuliani has tried to temper his stance somewhat by saying he believes states should decide on public funding, not Congress. He has also claimed that, if given the chance to nominate someone to the Supreme Court, he would pick a strict constructionist in the mold of Antonin Scalia or Clarence Thomas — both of whom have criticized the court's 1977 ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide.

Christian conservatives might see this as nothing more than sugar-coating in light of his latest pronouncements. To them, abortion is a moral issue, not a legal one. Allowing it, much less funding it, in one state is as bad as doing so in any other.

So far at least, Giuliani's approach hasn't seemed to hurt him in the polls or on the fundraising front. Emphasizing his views on national security and his role as New York mayor during 9/11 have been the signatures of his campaign. A greater emphasis on his socially liberal views, however, could lead to tumult in the polls — and leave an opening for anyone waiting in the wings, like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich or former Sen. Fred Thompson.


Democrat Debate-A-Thon '07: The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday that it would sanction six debates between its presidential candidates. The debates would start in July and be held monthly until December.

Representatives of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards reportedly had lobbied the DNC to limit the number of debates. Why? Front-runners don't like them because they have little to gain from them, while dark horse candidates with nothing to lose can get a bounce out of a good performance. Debate prep also takes time away from controlled solo appearances and fundraising.

The DNC's decision doesn't stop every TV station and newspaper in Iowa and New Hampshire from sponsoring a debate. But those without the DNC's seal of approval might have a harder time getting top-tier candidates to attend.


New Hampshire's New Controversy: Democratic candidates in South Carolina have long had to tip-toe around the state's decision to fly the Confederate battle flag above its state capitol, which some African Americans see as an offensive reminder of slavery. Now, New Hampshire might have its own parochial pitfall: gay marriage.

The state's House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass a bill that would create civil unions for same-sex couples. The state Senate is expected to pass the bill, but Democratic Gov. John Lynch, who says he opposes gay marriage, has not indicated whether he will sign the legislation.

Normally the diciest question candidates in New Hampshire have to deal with is whether they support the state's effort to maintain its first-in-the-nation primary. Of course, they all say yes to a question no one outside of New Hampshire really cares about. But being asked about civil unions introduces a more uncomfortable issue.

While Republican primary voters by and large oppose gay marriage, there is slightly more wiggle room on civil unions, which don't carry a religious connotation. Still, expressing support for such unions is a risky proposition. Even if New Hampshire Republicans don't mind them, conservatives in other states may be strongly opposed.

The good news for Democrats is that full-blown gay marriage isn't under consideration — the difference between a civil union and a marriage is largely semantic, yet supporting the former while opposing the latter is the middle ground on which most Democrats have settled.


HPV Veto: If you thought the New Mexico legislature wrapped up its session by sending Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson only softball legislation on cockfights and bolo ties, you'd be wrong: Legislators also passed a bill requiring all girls entering sixth grade to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus.

Similar legislation created a controversy in Texas, where it was signed into law by conservative Republican Gov. Rick Perry. So it might come as a surprise that Richardson, a left-of-center Democrat in a moderate state, vetoed the measure. "While everyone recognizes the benefits of this vaccine, there is insufficient time to educate parents, schools and health care providers," he said in a statement.

Richardson's response is a sign that the controversy over mandating the vaccination isn't purely partisan. While those who believe the vaccine could promote sexually promiscuous behavior in teenage girls might make up a large chunk of the opposition, they have been joined by those who oppose mandating the treatment out of distrust of large pharmaceutical companies. Other opponents include parents who simply don't like being told what to do and people who are concerned about the possible side effects of such medications.

When the partisan divide over an issue is this muddled, it makes it safer for a governor, even one running for president like Richardson, to make a decision without fear of angering supporters beyond repair.


Keep Those Lessons Coming: While Gingrich may be seen as a savior-in-waiting by some conservatives, he hasn't done himself any favors this week with Latino voters, a group the GOP has been courting since President Bush's first run in 2000.

Gingrich has issued a YouTube apology for a speech he delivered on Saturday in which he equated bilingual education with "the language of living in the ghetto" — a remark that immediately drew fire from bilingual education advocates and Latino organizations.

In his video apology, delivered Thursday in Spanish with English subtitles, Gingrich said, "I have never believed that Spanish is a language of people of low income not a language without beauty." He also says that he has been taking Spanish lessons and admits that his Spanish "is not perfect."

His skill with the language is pretty apparent from watching the video. While his words are letter-for-letter perfect, Gingrich's accent is pretty nonexistent and pales when compared to the Spanish spoken by President Bush and his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Of course, Gingrich says he won't decide whether he'll enter the presidential race until September. He can probably work in plenty of Berlitz classes until then.


Editor's Note: Pure Horserace is a daily update of political news as interpreted by the political observers at CBSNews.com. Click here to sign up for the e-mail version, coming soon to an in-box near you.

[nyckate]

Rudy too moderate?? LMAO -- oh please - Rudy&Judy will say whatever they need to say to get in -- Rudy&Judy are just too trashy - which means the 'religious-right-conservatives' will be lining up to vote them in -- seems its not morals and honesty and ethics that the religious-right want - they want trash and thugs - and the trashy the better thank you very much!!

[imprisonbush]

It seems obvious to me that Guiliani has made a strategy change. Recently he stated that he would appoint strict constructionist judges to the Supreme Court which many interpreted to mean that he would not seek to uphold abortion. However, today I read that he's now reversed that pandering attempt in stating that he would not be opposed to public funding of abortions. Why the apparent change of pandering attempt? Several. One: McCain has shown a textbook example of what happens to a pol who appears to back off his prior positions: i.e. complete backlash. Second: Florida, California and many other states are moving up their primary dates so South Carolina no longer has such dominant influence over the Repugnant Party's nomination choice. Third: Guiliani recognizes that none of the frontrunners is a true conservative and he has been dominanting the polls all over, so he realizes that the conservatives really have no better alternative. Hence, Guiliani has made a deliberate, astute change of strategy: unlike the other two Repugnant Party frontrunners, he's going to take a novel approach and run a campaign based upon who he really is and NOT what the conservative Repugnants' want him to be. This is clearly a smart move and makes him a MUCH more formidable opponent for the Democrats. The hypocrisy attack that the other two Repugnant Party candidates are subject to will not work with him. Yet he has other problems with lots of skeleton in his closet.

[j-whitman]

Looks like the GOP is scrambling hard,, Every one of thier picks has flip-floped on every issue,,, They don't care what thier voters say, they want a continuation of Bush's Evil Policies.

[rafterman1]

"I know Hillary or Obama could sure handle the job but we in mainstream america cant stomach Liberals."

They aren't liberals, they are moderates. Which, for ultra right wing sealots like you, it's probably the same thing.

If you righties can't get a Republican, you should be happy to get Hillary. She's another Joe Lieberman - a moderate Repubican in Dem clothing.

[rafterman1]

By the way, the "mainstream Americans" just voted a ton of Dems in office recently. Didn't you har? Maybe you are the one that isn't "mainstream".

By the way, ask a New Yorker about Rudy - and you won't get too many kind responses. If it wasn't for 9-11, he'd have gone done as one of NYC's worst mayors.

[condumism]

Please GOPigs, pick another terror and fear candidate: Gulliani for 2008, PALEEEEEEZE!

[shingles1]

NYCKATE; Trashy and thuggy big daddys that'll pwotect wittle lars0008 and one_american and all the other scared wittle bedwetters from the big bad swarthy types that hate their fweedom.

[condumism]

ConDums running yet another FASCIST for president. Gulliani won't even win the state he reresents, here's why:

Definition of a FASCIST, ie: a US Republicon:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections
15. Vigorous DENIAL of all of the above!

[oleander8]

"Is there no one that you crats can run thats electable? =)" [Posted by didntinhale]

...sure, tune in Nov'08 and see it live.

[huskerarmy]

"Hey My Communist friends Rudy and Judy will be the next President and first lady...I know Hillary or Obama could sure handle the job but we in mainstream America cant stomach Liberals."
Actually, you're the broken record that has worn thin on America's good senses. America is sick of you righty reactionaries who characterize anyone who doesn't agree with you as communists, terrorists, etc. How funny it is for you to attack "liberals" in one breath while supporting a GOPer who supports abortion, gun control and even gay rights. Rudy is the most liberal GOPer to come along in decades. He will not get the support he needs from religious fanatics and bigots to win the GOPer nomination. Right now he's benefiting from name recognition and a GOPer electorate that is traditionally uniformed (FOX doesn't help). But eventually they will start to pay attention and won't like what they hear. Be real! Gay rights? Pro-Choice? Gun control? Why not vote for the real Democrat as opposed to a cheap immitation and desperate attempt to keep the White House? The man is unelectable.

[perception5]

By the way, ask a New Yorker about Rudy - and you won't get too many kind responses. If it wasn't for 9-11, he'd have gone done as one of NYC's worst mayors.

Posted by Rafterman1 at 10:13 PM : Apr 05, 2007

....Rafterman1 ......we see you out here again today pushing your liberal hate/propaganda....."ask a New Yorker about Rudy"...... Rafterman1 there is a concept you need to start warming up to.........and that is Rudy was elected TWICE by the people of New York City.......which also happens to have the most concentration of Democrats in the nation. And the great results of his two terms is validated by his election and RE-election.
Bottom line is this ......the GOP has three moderate candidates running in 08...... either of the three...Mit, Rudy, or John will be any of the far left liberals that the Dems are putting up .........even with all the help from our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack.......proping them up.

[huskerarmy]

"...the GOP has three moderate candidates running in 08......"
O.K. one out of three isn't bad for a GOPer.

[huskerarmy]

"...even with all the help from our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack.......proping them up."
Oh for pete's sake stop whining. The spoiled status quo on the right has FOX to propagate their lies and promote their entitlements. You don't need the rest of the world's media to shil for the GOP.

[dallison7]

Hey republicans, there are two stories up right now that should interest you.

"Pentagon: No Saddam-as Quaeda Link"

and

"Cheney Sticks to His Guns"

LET'S GO OVER THERE!!!

[actornaught]

Conservative Christians won't know whether to *** or go blind if Rudy's nominated, married 3 times, pro-life, disowned by his kids, etc...!

what IS a conservative christian anyway? i still don't see how those 2 words go together...

about the only GOP'er that'd be easier to beat is the disgraced Newt.

[jimfinster]

Rudy & Judy?

Ha! By 2008, they will be divorced and on marriage #4.

[erichsh]

"By the way, ask a New Yorker about Rudy - and you won't get too many kind responses."
Posted by Rafterman1

OK, I've be asked: Guliani gets my full endorsement. He's turned this city around 180 degrees - crime down, welfare caseload down, quality of life up.

To huskerarmy re FOX: quit your whining - you've got CBS, PBS, ABC, MSNBC, ETC all in your corner shilling for the Democrats. Fox news? Guess one out of 10 (20? 30?) ain't bad.

erichsh, Forest Hills, Queens

[huskerarmy]

ericsh, There were no WMD's in Iraq, there was no plutonium discovered after the invasion, there were no mid range misslces full of mustard gas discovered, Obama was not educated in a radical islamic school, there has been no link found between Iraq and Al Quaeda. FOX reported all of these lies.

[actornaught]

eric, the only left-wing 'network' is Air America. Anybody that thinks the networks you list 'shill for democrats' has fallen for a straw man argument.

[forthepeaple]

A declassified Pentagon report released Thursday concludes that there was no direct cooperation between Saddam Hussein's regime and al Qeada. But *** Cheney, apparently, remains convinced there was. ONLY IN HIS AND BUSHES HEAD!!!! ALSO RUMSFELDS HEAD..THEY SHOULD BE HANGED FOR TREASON AGAIST OUR COUNTRY...FOR THE MURDERS OF OUR KIDS.

The Washington Post on Friday said the report, which had been issued in summary form in February, drew on "captured Iraqi documents" and "interrogations of Saddam Hussein and two former aides" which "all confirmed" that Saddam and al Qaeda were not working together prior to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF US SAYING THIS EXECT THING FOR A LONG TIME NOW, SO WERE ARE THE ONES THAT LOVE THERE BUSH CRIME FAMILY.THIS SHOULD KILL THEM..SEEING CHENEY WINEING LIKE A BABY.

ANY BUSHIE WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE

[motherjones-2009]

There is no liberal media. It's a myth. Over 90% of media (television, radio,internet, magazines, news wire) is owned by 5 huge corporations: Viacom, Disney, Murdoch Corp(Fox News), Time- Warner, and General electric. They have a stranglehold over the flow of information. We see and hear only what they want us to.

[forthepeaple]

A declassified Pentagon report released Thursday concludes that there was no direct cooperation between Saddam Hussein's regime and al Qeada. But *** Cheney, apparently, remains convinced there was. ONLY IN HIS AND BUSHES HEAD!!!! ALSO RUMSFELDS HEAD..THEY SHOULD BE HANGED FOR TREASON AGAIST OUR COUNTRY...FOR THE MURDERS OF OUR KIDS.

The Washington Post on Friday said the report, which had been issued in summary form in February, drew on "captured Iraqi documents" and "interrogations of Saddam Hussein and two former aides" which "all confirmed" that Saddam and al Qaeda were not working together prior to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF US SAYING THIS EXECT THING FOR A LONG TIME NOW, SO WERE ARE THE ONES THAT LOVE THERE BUSH CRIME FAMILY.THIS SHOULD KILL THEM..SEEING CHENEY WINEING LIKE A BABY.

COME ON BUSHIE LOVERS LETS HERE WHAT YOU SAY NOW..

[feelfree1]

Re: "Giuliani's Support For Abortion Funding Could Be Too Much For GOP Conservatives"

What is Giuliani's position on a retroactive abortion option for Barbara Bush?

[actornaught]

"liberal media" & MSM & such are all hate radio talking points to create a straw man that they can get 'fans' to go after. these people make their money getting us to hate each other.

[randalds]

There is no liberal media. It's a myth. Over 90% of media (television, radio,internet, magazines, news wire) is owned by 5 huge corporations: Viacom, Disney, Murdoch Corp(Fox News), Time- Warner, and General electric. They have a stranglehold over the flow of information. We see and hear only what they want us to.
Posted by motherjones at 03:11 PM : Apr 06, 2007

Another great reason to read The Nation Magazine. Like Sam Waterston says in the ad, just the straight dope. Evey year my wife renews my subscription as a valentines present. Got to love a woman like that!