The GOP Debate and Abortion

Thursday night's Republican debate summary:

The Republican presidential candidates are better than the Democrat presidential candidates.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- Alone among 10 Republican presidential contenders, Rudy Giuliani said in campaign debate Thursday night "it would be OK" if the Supreme Court upholds a 1973 landmark abortion rights ruling. "It would be OK to repeal it. It would be OK also if a strict constructionist viewed it as precedent," said the former New York city mayor, who has a record of supporting abortion rights.

In a party that draws strength from anti-abortion voters, Giuliani's nine GOP rivals agreed that it would be a great day if the court overturns the landmark ruling.

"Glorious day of human liberty and freedom," enthused Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney acknowledged he had changed his mind on the subject when he began to delve into the issue of cloning. He said his position had once effectively been "pro-choice."

But Giuliani, who said he personally hates abortion, hedged when asked about his current position.

"I think the Court has to make that decision and then the country can deal with it," he said. "... The states could then make their own decisions."

Alone among the top three contenders, Arizona Sen. John McCain has a career-long record of opposition to abortion.

The 10 rivals showed their conservative credentials across 90 minutes of debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, each claiming to be a worthy heir to the political legacy of the late 40th president.

They stressed the importance of persisting in Iraq, called for lower taxes and a muscular defense and supported spending restraint.

First of all, the ten Republican candidates showed their superiority over the Democrat candidates by agreeing to participate in a debate hosted by the unabashedly lib-biased MSNBC and Democrat hack Chris Matthews.

(Not all libs are happy with Matthews' performance. Read more.)

The girly men Dems (Yes, Hillary is masculine enough to be considered one of the boys) weren't man enough to debate on the FOX News Channel.

The Republicans score points just for showing up.

On the substance of the debate--

Naturally, the lib news outlets are focusing on the abortion issue.

They want to divide and demoralize the Republicans, with hopes of subduing the popularity of Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.

...The issue of abortion looms large in the 2008 presidential campaign in a party where a wide swath of political activists support the overturning of the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

Both Romney and Giuliani must persuade conservative voters they are ready to embrace that view — or else persuade them to overlook the issue in picking a candidate for the White House.

I am pro-life.

Like John Kerry, I believe that life begins at conception.

I support pro-life candidates.

Are the anti-abortion credentials of Giuliani and Romney strong enough to satisfy Republican voters?
I think so.

Romney used to be pro-choice. So what? He's not now.

Giuliani has said that he would appoint constructionist judges, like John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito.

Since the abortion issue will be fought in the courts, I'm comfortable with Giuliani's stance.

I'm not troubled by a candidate's flip-flopping on abortion.

What counts is what the candidates are promising to do if elected president.

Remember, Ronald Reagan was a Democrat before switching to the Right side. I'm not aware of many or any conservatives that hold that against Reagan.

The undeniable reality is that any Republican candidate would be dramatically better on pro-life issues than any Democrat.

The Democrats are beholden to the rabid pro-abortion crowd.

A Dem in the White House would be disastrous for the Culture of Life agenda.

That's important to keep in mind. If you are pro-life, there is no Democrat option. None.

Conservatives can be dissatisfied with the current field of Republicans. They can fantasize about savior Fred Thompson. Whatever.

It's a no brainer that a Democrat in the White House will put more unborn lives at risk than if a Republican wins.

In terms of upholding the sanctity of life, any Republican, including Giuliani, is better than a death merchant Democrat.