Giuliani to conservatives: don't fear me
Posted: Saturday, October 20, 2007 11:38 AM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/National Journal’s Matthew E. Berger
Giuliani told members of the Family Research Council Saturday
that they have nothing to fear from him and social conservatives will
have an open door to his White House.
Speaking to perhaps his most hostile crowd to date -- the Family
Research Council’s Values Voter Summit in DC -- Giuliani said he does
not understand why some see him as an “activist for liberal causes.” He
stressed he has more areas of agreement with social conservatives than
disagreements. “Isn’t it better that I tell you what I really believe
than I change my positions to fit the prevailing winds,” Giuliani said,
a thinly veiled shot at
Romney. “I believe trust is better than 100 percent agreement.”
He pressed for school choice and said he would appoint strict
constructionists to the federal bench. He also extolled his support for
Israel and described how he cleaned up New York City as mayor.
“People of good conscience come to different conclusions about whether abortions should be legal in some circumstances,” he said, adding though social conservatives and he have a goal in common, decreasing abortions. He stressed his record of increasing adoptions as mayor and said he would eliminate the red tape nationwide to do the same. He also said he would support parental notifications for abortions and the ban on so-called "partial birth abortions."
Giuliani’s highly anticipated speech received warm applause and concluded with a standing ovation. But the hostility to his historic positions on abortion, gay rights and other issues was palpable, and many in the audience have said they will not support Giuliani if he wins the Republican nomination for president.
Giuliani said he was not a perfect person. He also spoke of his own faith, including his Catholic school upbringing. But Giuliani stressed that his family’s style was to keep faith private. “I have made mistakes in my life, but I have tried to learn from them,” he said. “I pray for forgiveness, I pray for guidance … but maybe more privately than others.”
Giuliani said he would have an open door as president to groups like FRC. “People of faith should not be marginalized in our civic debates,” he said. “Believers have every right to participate in our political process. I believe America is better for you expressing your views.”
Giuliani continued his assault on
Hillary Clinton, noting “it takes a family, not a village, to raise a child.” He also seemed to take a swipe at
Fred Thompson, who is leading Giuliani among social conservative voters in recent polls. He said shifting his positions based on polling and not his true beliefs would make him “a good actor.”
