Rudy: Taxpayers Must Fund Abortions Redux

By kowalski Posted in 2008 — Comments (8) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

This morning on the Drudge Report there's a new video of Rudy Giuliani emphasizing that while "abortion is wrong" and that during his tenure as Mayor of New York "adoptions went up, abortions went down" he nevertheless believes that because abortion is a Constitutional right (twice! he says it), "...even if it is done on a state-by-state basis..." people "...need to be protected." Meaning that they must be taxpayer funded.

Although Rudy and the interviewer get a nice chuckle about those "things that are flying around on the Internet" and in the blogosphere (ho ho, chortle chortle, isn't it funny!?! That darn blogosphere...) in a way that makes you think he and the interviewer really don't care very much what the blogosphere thinks, I'm happy to highlight how mainstream journos and mainstream politicians regard the 150 million+ or so people in this country who have Internet connections. (Hint: it smacks of a pedantic but slightly worried and patronizing disdain.) In any case, Giuliani definitively reaffirms his 1989 position, even while prefacing his remarks with a little "politician-speak" disclaimer:

"I'm going to have to reexamine all of those issues...it's a long time ago...but generally, that's my view."

[Sidebar: What's up with this giggling about the Internet by Rudy and the interview host? Does Rudy really get that big of a laugh out of us? If so, note to Rudy: we might not all be multimillionaire campaign donors, but there are a lot of us out here. Furthermore, what's up with your lame, weak, mealymouthed disclaimer about having to "reexamine" a position which you steadfastly asserted back in 1989 ... and one which everyone except possibly the people living in the subway tunnels knew you held? Especially when it is this important and relates to so many other concerns? I can already hear the wheels spinning at Giuliani HQ to craft a press release that will reconcile these two statements while making the latter seem "more provisional."]

As Warner Wolf used to say, "Let's Go To The Videotape!" Here are the two videos for your comparison.

From 1989:

From April 4, 2008:

Since Giuliani believes that abortion is a Constitutional right that must be "protected" by taxpayer funding, when at best it is a derived "right" that was ~~manufactured, conjured up and insinuated out of thin air~~ established through a dubious and incorrect legal decision, let's talk about an actual Constitutional right -- the 2nd Amendment and the right to bear arms. Does Rudy believe that poor citizens around the country should be subsizidized by taxpayers so that they can purchase guns? That would be quite a reversal for the big-city mayor.

Maybe Rudy's just a little bedazzled by the cute, young blonde interviewing him? I mean, how could he tell that hottie that he doesn't think abortion is a "Constitutional right" that he'll presumably work to uphold, given his enthusiasm in this interview.

[Updated 12:43 p.m. EST 4/5/07 with a few minor edits and impertinent questions for Mr. Giuliani.]

Rudy and Hillary agree on the Constitution by California Conservative

It apparently protects the right of women and girls who have no money to have an abortion at taxpayer expense.

What about the people that want a sex-change at taxpayer expense, Rudy? Can we deprive them of that "right" by refusing to pay for it?

Can poor women get tummy tucks and boob jobs with taxpayer dough? What if they're depressed and they need it to feel better?

Rudy and Hillary should be on the same ticket. Call it the NYC Party.

Reply To This — User Info — #1

Public comment update by kowalski

Yes, I have titled the second video excerpt from Rudy as broadcast April 4, 2008 -- and that's deliberate. I don't expect Rudy Giuliani to change his opinion of abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion any more in the next year than he has changed it in the past 18 years. In my opinion, it's something that Rudy believes deeply in and is not going to change, regardless of the public criticism (from the right) and more especially the public accolades (from the left).

I don't expect that to change, and I'd be very surprised indeed if Rudy is singing a different tune this time next year. Let's see.

Reply To This — User Info — #2

At least we know where he stands I admire his honesty by Demophilus

He is honest about his positions and even though I personally disagree with many of them including the abortion issue I still may vote for him.

Reply To This — User Info — #3

OK THATS IT! by corbenrice

I understand the sentiment but this mantra is starting to drive me crazy. We could say the same of Osama. "I disagree with him but he is honest.

A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. -John Adams

Reply To This — User Info — #4

Well, isn't he? by Raven

I'd rather have an honest enemy at my side than a dishonest "friend"

There are those who look on Dresden and Tokyo and Hiroshima as some of the greatest evils ever perpetrated by man. I look on them and thank the perpetrators for saving millions.

Reply To This — User Info — #5

Indeed, Osama for President '08 (n/t) by corbenrice

A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. -John Adams

Reply To This — User Info — #6

At least I know what the honest one will do by Wu Wei

The best thing would be finding a candidate I agree with totally. If that's not possible, at least with an honest candidate I have an idea of where they disagree with me. But with a flip flopper their words mean nothing. If that flip flopping candidate has a history of voting liberal, there is no telling how far left they will go once in office.

Reply To This — User Info — #7

This is troublesome. by spainishirish

Anyone who can't differentiate between public policy (the Hyde Amendment) and a constitutional right (which isn't taxpayer-funded abortions) isn't likely to appoint strict constructionists as judges. This story is larger than the abortion debate per se.

Rudy has some 'splaining to do on this one.

Reply To This — User Info — #8

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