The Rudy You Don't Know Doesn't Seem to Know the Meaning of Strong Leadership
When Rudy Giuliani addresses the joint session of the Alabama state legislature this afternoon, he will likely try to tout his strong leadership as a reason to support his candidacy. But, strong leaders don’t change their position on a key issue four times in 24 hours.
In South Carolina last Thursday, Giuliani stated that he supports public funding for abortions, the same position he reiterated during an interview on CNN. [AP, 4/5/07, CNN, 4/4/07]. However, his campaign later said he in fact does not support public funding - a position Giuliani took last month when courting conservatives. And then, the Giuliani campaign issued an e-mail saying, "Rudy would not seek to change current federal law which provides federal funding for abortion only in cases of life of the mother, rape and incest." [Hotline On Call, 4/5/07] Despite all of these conflicting statements, Giuliani's policy director yesterday claims he is consistent.
"Rudy Giuliani continues to offer weak leadership by changing his positions on the key issues facing our country," said DNC Spokesperson Amaya Smith. "Which Rudy will Alabama see today is anybody's guess. If the public is confused, who can blame them. Americans want strong leader that stands on principle, not cheap political ploys designed to win elections like we’ve seen from Rudy Giuliani."
CHRONOLOGY: Rudy Can't Seem To Keep His Story Straight
4/9/07: Giuliani campaign policy director Bill Simon writes to the National Review Online, claiming Giuliani has been consistent in his position on public funding: "Rudy Giuliani has repeatedly said that he will not seek to change current law as described in the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortions except in cases involving rape or incest, or where the life of the mother is at stake. [National Review Online, 4/9/07]
12:45 PM, 4/5/07: The National Journal's "Hotline On Call" reports a brand new e-mail from the Giuliani campaign claiming that "Rudy would not seek to change current federal law which provides federal funding for abortion only in cases of life of the mother, rape and incest." [Hotline On Call, 4/5/07]
11:30 AM , 4/5/07: In South Carolina, Giuliani Said He Favors Public Funding Of Abortions. The Associated Press reports that at an event this morning, "Giuliani today defended his record of personally opposing abortions but still favoring the use of public money for the procedures." [AP/Fox21, 4/5/07]
Later On 4/4/07: Campaign Said Giuliani Does Not Support Changing Current Law Restricting Federal Funding. "Clarifying" his earlier comments on CNN, "the campaign noted later in the day that the former mayor would not seek to make any changes to current law, which restricts federal funding to cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother." [CNN Political Ticker, 4/5/07]
Earlier On 4/4/07: But Earlier That Day Giuliani Told CNN He Supports Public Funding Of Abortions. "Probably": When Giuliani appeared on CNN and was asked directly by CNN's Dana Bash if he supported the use of public funding for abortions, Giuliani said "Yes." He said he would "probably" keep that position as president. [CNN Political Ticker; 4/4/07]
March 2007: Giuliani Assured Conservatives He Opposed Public Funding of Abortions. In March 2007, Giuliani's campaign told the Christian Broadcasting Network and the National Review Online that he supported the Hyde Amendment, which since 1976 has banned federal funding for abortion. Christian Broadcast News reported that Giuliani's campaign says he will "not seek to make any changes to the Hyde Amendment which restricts federal funding of abortion". Bill Simon, a domestic policy advisor to Giuliani told National Review Online, "I have an assurance that he is in favor of the Hyde amendment" [National Review, 3/1/07; Brody File, CBN News, 3/28/07]
1989: Under Political Pressure, Eventually Giuliani Supported Taxpayer Funded Abortion. Mayoral candidate Giuliani promised to fund abortions in November of 1989. A video clip shows Giuliani addressing a women's group: "There must be public funding for abortion for poor women. We can not deny any women the right to make her own decision about abortion because she lacks resources..(applause)..I have also stated that I disagree with President Bush's veto last week of public funding for abortion." [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWIrlKujUKk, accessed 3/12/07]
1989: But That Came After He Told Conservatives Just The Opposite Earlier That Year: Giuliani told New York's Conservative Party - a pro-life group whose endorsement he wanted - in mid-1989 that he "did not favor government funding." [Newsday, 11/3/89]
