For weeks, now, Rudy Giuliani has been trying to mollify social conservatives wary of nominating a Republican presidential candidate with liberal views on abortion and other social issues that he would, if elected president, nominate "strict constructionist" judges to the federal bench.
But yesterday in Des Moines, Iowa, Giuliani may have undone some of that bridge-building by telling social conservatives, in effect, to "get over it" when it comes to their important issues.
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani warned GOP activists in Des Moines on Saturday that if they insist on a nominee who always agrees with them, it will spell defeat in 2008.
"Our party is going to grow, and we are going to win in 2008 if we are a party characterized by what we’re for, not if we’re a party that’s known for what we’re against,” the former New York mayor said at a midday campaign stop.
Republicans can win, he said, if they nominate a candidate committed to the fight against terrorism and high taxes, rather than a pure social conservative.
"Our party has to get beyond issues like that," Giuliani said, a reference to abortion rights, which he supports.
Giuliani made his remarks at a campaign stop before a speech to about 1,000 of the leadoff caucus state’s most active Republicans, some of whom have voiced unease about his moderate social positions. It was Giuliani’s second trip to Iowa, where he leads in early polls but has put in far fewer campaign hours than his rivals.
Pro-lifers are a major component of the Republican coalition. Telling them to get over it seems to be a risky political strategy if you're trying to win their votes.
I've had enough of Rudy and any east cost elite trying to tell me my social views aren't important. Sorry Rudy,they are. Its you who need to get over it. Thanks for being so stupidly blunt - it will be even easier to marshal opposition to you now.
Get over it? Try selling that out here in "Flyover country", or down south.
We already have one pro-abortion, anti-gun liberal from NY in the race (Hillary), why do we need another?
And we are getting over it - the "it" being you, a creation of the MSM. And we will be over YOU especially once your record is fully examined. Other than the 3 months after 9/11 you basically have had a decidedly mixed career. On 9/10 Giuliani was just another NY mayor mired in a 30% approval rate with political scandal looming and personal scandal all over the place. And since January 2002, he has not held a political position - he has merely been an inspirational speaker, and making money off lobbying for Hugo Chavez and Citgo.
But if you think this is a tough issue, just wait. The real 800 pound gorilla of Republican politics has yet to move. Once the NRA slaps you down for your terrible record on the 2nd amendment, you'll fold over so fast that people will wonder what train hit you. Ask the anti-gun Republicans in Ohio.
You can look for me and other NRA members, as well as social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, federalists and war on terror voters - we'll wave to you from the Fred Thompson express.
Posted by: Ordinary Coloradan | April 15, 2007 7:04 PM | Permalink to Comment