Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Rudy, Abortion, and the 2008 Prez Field
Ever hate something so much that you gave money year after year to an organization dedicated to helping that very same thing flourish???
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in his campaign appearances this year has stated that he personally abhors abortion, even though he supports keeping a legal right to choose. But records show that in the '90s he contributed money at least six times to Planned Parenthood, one of the country's leading abortion rights groups and its top provider of abortions.
Federal tax returns made public by the former New York mayor show that he and his then-wife, Donna Hanover, made personal donations to national, state and city chapters of Planned Parenthood totaling $900 in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999.
Look. If Giuliani has any sincerity, he should get up there before GOP crowds and say, "Yep, I'm pro-choice. I've always been pro-choice. And if you vote for me that's what you'll get. But let me tell you what else you'll get...."
I probably still wouldn't support him in the Republican primary. But the idea of voting for him in a general election against another pro-choice candidate would suddenly become slightly more palatable.
But we shouldn't expect any politician at the top of either field, no less Giuliani, to provide such honesty. Instead he speaks out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, much like the top 3 candidates on both sides have been doing for some time now. Personally, even at this early stage, what I wouldn't give for a Huckabee-Richardson 2008 contest?!?
And where did this damning info come from? I'm guessing McCain. Nice work. Yes, you gotta love politics!
The returns have been on the public record for years, but the detail about Giuliani's support for Planned Parenthood -- along with e-mailed copies of the returns -- was provided to The Politico by aides to a rival campaign, who insisted on not being identified.
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in his campaign appearances this year has stated that he personally abhors abortion, even though he supports keeping a legal right to choose. But records show that in the '90s he contributed money at least six times to Planned Parenthood, one of the country's leading abortion rights groups and its top provider of abortions.
Federal tax returns made public by the former New York mayor show that he and his then-wife, Donna Hanover, made personal donations to national, state and city chapters of Planned Parenthood totaling $900 in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999.
Look. If Giuliani has any sincerity, he should get up there before GOP crowds and say, "Yep, I'm pro-choice. I've always been pro-choice. And if you vote for me that's what you'll get. But let me tell you what else you'll get...."
I probably still wouldn't support him in the Republican primary. But the idea of voting for him in a general election against another pro-choice candidate would suddenly become slightly more palatable.
But we shouldn't expect any politician at the top of either field, no less Giuliani, to provide such honesty. Instead he speaks out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, much like the top 3 candidates on both sides have been doing for some time now. Personally, even at this early stage, what I wouldn't give for a Huckabee-Richardson 2008 contest?!?
And where did this damning info come from? I'm guessing McCain. Nice work. Yes, you gotta love politics!
The returns have been on the public record for years, but the detail about Giuliani's support for Planned Parenthood -- along with e-mailed copies of the returns -- was provided to The Politico by aides to a rival campaign, who insisted on not being identified.
# posted by Jeff Briscoe : 12:03 AM
