In the first GOP Presidential debate, Giuliani reminded us all that he is pro-choice:
“I hate abortion” and encourage adoption, the former New York City mayor said later in the debate. But he added that he “would respect a women’s right to make a different choice.”
I certainly appreciate his honesty and candor. I think that everyone should. It took courage to stand-up and address your convictions and beliefs. But, unfortunately, to get the party’s nomination, you must be in alliance with social conservatives.
Years ago, Bob Dole spoke with Nixon and asked his advice about campaigning for President. Nixon instructed Dole to “run as far as you can to the right to get the nomination and then run toward the middle”. Giuliani is already running to the middle.
To win the nomination, you have to have the support of the “party’s core”. Rudy, indeed , has courage. But, I just don’t think that he is a fit for the party, right now.
I, personally, am not a one issue voter. Frankly, I look at the entire package of a candidate when deciding who to support. But, there are a LOT of social conservatives that focus on abortion as their one voting issue. And, in a field this big… and with such strong competition, not having that many social conservatives onboard with you when you are trying to get the Republican nomination is, frankly, death to a candidacy.
His numbers are high, now. However, I think that we will all look back at this day and recognize it as the beginning of the end for Rudy.