by Fred Barnes, the Weekly Standard: Rudy Giuliani has a problem. It's bigger than he imagines and could doom his presidential prospects. The problem is his pro-choice position on abortion. . . . Social conservatives are a major constituency in the Republican party and for them abortion is a paramount issue. . . . Giuliani has softened his pro-abortion position. He now supports both a ban on partial-birth abortions and the Hyde amendment, which bars federal funding of abortions in most instances. He says he wouldn't try to repeal the pro-life plank that's been in the Republican platform since 1980. But social conservative leaders . . . [would] like to see a Giuliani "conversion on the road to Des Moines." That would involve embracing the pro-life position, as George H.W. Bush did after Ronald Reagan chose him as his running mate in 1980.. . . Giuliani will have an opportunity to appeal directly to social conservatives at the Values Voter Summit on October 20 in Washington. The other Republican presidential candidates are speaking there as well, but Giuliani's appearance is the one most likely to affect the presidential race. He will be introduced at the event by Jonathan Falwell, son of the late Jerry Falwell, and there's a way he could assuage social conservatives and potentially minimize defections to a third party candidate--without reversing his pro-choice position. He would have to say something like this:
I fully accept the fact that the Republican party is a pro-life party. And though my personal view is different, I will make no effort whatsoever to change the party's stance and I will oppose any attempt by others to do so. If elected president, I pledge to do nothing--either by executive order or by signing legislation--that would increase the number of abortions in America or make abortions easier to obtain. And I will speak out as president to discourage anyone from having an abortion. I further pledge that if reasonable legislation reaches my desk to reduce the number of abortions, I will sign the legislation or let it become law without my signature. And my administration will defend that legislation in the courts if necessary.When I asked Giuliani last week about the elements of such a statement, he seemed receptive . . . [Read More]
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