Giuliani stands by support of publicly-funded abortions

[Poiuyt]

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (CNN) -- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told CNN Wednesday he supports public funding for some abortions, a position he advocated as mayor and one that will likely put the GOP presidential candidate at odds with social conservatives in his party.

"Ultimately, it's a constitutional right, and therefore if it's a constitutional right, ultimately, even if you do it on a state by state basis, you have to make sure people are protected," Giuliani said in an interview with CNN's Dana Bash in Florida's capital city.

A video clip of the then-mayoral candidate issuing a similar declaration in 1989 in a speech to the "Women's Coalition" appeared recently on the Internet.

"There must be public funding for abortions for poor women," Giuliani says in the speech that is posted on the video sharing site YouTube. "We cannot deny any woman the right to make her own decisions about abortion."

When asked directly Wednesday if he still supported the use of public funding for abortions, Giuliani said "Yes."

"If it would deprive someone of a constitutional right," he explained, "If that's the status of the law, yes."

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/

This will make a few heads explode

[no_hypocrisy]

1. "If that's the status of the law, yes."

Here's the question: what if the status changes, then would Giuliani have a different position?

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Gotta Hand It To Him

He's an evil asshole, but made of better stuff than, say, McCain or the MittFlopper.

Adios Rudy.

[Hamlette]

3. Good for him, its a gutsy position our Democratic Presidential candidates won't take. n/t

[Bake]

4. He's right, of course, but it will sink his campaign

Because the wingnuts are unable to think in shades of gray. He's as good as gone.

Bake