Giuliani Must Confront Abortion Critics Head-On

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has cultivated an image as a tough-as-nails guy who wasn't afraid to face down mobsters as a U.S. attorney; targeted rising crime in the city with tough initiatives and showed his resolve in the face of unbearable tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001.

So why is the guy looking like a bumbling fool when he has been pressed on whether he supports a woman's right to an abortion?

Rudy, stop without the mealy-mouth responses. You look like an idiot. It's time for some straight talk. So, just in case your advisers are on the fence and afraid to alienate the right wing of the Republican Party, I'm offering a speech for you to use. Free of charge.

"Ladies and gentleman. When I embarked on this run for the presidency, it was with the full intention of providing a vision of America that would put us in a better position for generations to come.

"We live in a world of uncertainty. American armed forces are engaged in a war against terror all over the world, namely in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the home front, we confront the reality of failing schools, the loss of manufacturing jobs overseas and reliance on foreign oil that clearly borders on an addiction.

"In short, all is not well in America.

"But despite all of this, we are a great nation. We are a country that fully respects the rights of individuals to make decisions that better their lives. Americans have led the world in innovation, and our shores continue to be sought after as a land of opportunity for people all across the globe.

"So that brings me to where we stand today on one of the most personal — and volatile issues — that we have confronted in our nation's history.

"When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 34 years ago that various state laws that prohibited abortion violated the right to privacy under the Constitution's Due Process Clause in the 14th Amendment, it was hailed as a landmark decision. And those against it have continued to assert that the ruling is legally unjust, and that it has led to the deaths of millions of unborn children.

"We all must recognize that no matter what side we are on, abortion is one issue that forces us to choose.

"I realize that my party has historically been opposed to abortion, and I respect that.

It is the right of the party, and its members, to state their intentions. But like it or not, I'm an American. I'm a Republican. I love my party; have always loved my party and will never leave the party.

"But I'm also pro-choice on abortion.

"I know that my statements over the past few months have led to intense criticism, and I'll admit that I have not been as clear on where I stand, partly in trying to appeal to longtime Republicans.

"Yet I have to be who I am. And the Rudy Giuliani who wants to represent the nation in the White House is the same Rudy Giuliani who has fought to protect that same U.S. Constitution that has guaranteed a woman a right to choose. Would I prefer a woman to make such a decision? No. I want to see children raised in loving families. But that is not always the case, and we have to simply be honest about this.

"I am who I am. And if there are Republican voters who feel so strongly about this issue, then they can feel free to support another candidate. But if you care about terrorism; if you care about an environmentally sound country; if you desire a strong economy that protects jobs and evens the playing field for workers and business; if you want to able to walk the streets of your neighborhood safely; if you want to see America prosper, then I'm the man for the job.

"We will never agree on every issue. That's called democracy. And make no mistake, we are the world's greatest democracy. But when making a choice on a candidate, study the totality of his or her views. And even with there being an issue like abortion, I'm confident the American people will see my deep and abiding passion for a stronger nation, and make the right choice.

"Thank you, and God bless America."

Roland S. Martin is a CNN contributor and a talk-show host for WVON-AM in Chicago. Please visit his Web site at www.rolandsmartin.com. To find out more about Roland Martin and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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