On The Hyde Amendment: Did Rudy Change His Position?
A reader passes along an excerpt from the New York Times on 6/18/93:
“Leaflets distributed by the Giuliani campaign at the morning program said that he opposes restrictions to Federal Medicaid financing for abortions and opposes the Hyde Amendment, which is intended to deny support for that financing.
Compare that two what Bill Simon, a Giuliani surrogate, said of his boss. In his recounting, Giuliani won't tinker with the Hyde Amendment, which is current federal law.
In theory, Giuliani could still oppose the Hyde Amendment but also could promise -- a la Mitt Romney in 2002 -- not to change existing law.
At any rate, Giuliani's position today suggests that he puts much less of a priority on the Hyde amendment than he did in 1993.
Makes you wonder why... and also makes you wonder whether Giuliani will decide not to challenge other parts of federal law that conservatives want to protect.
In theory, Giuliani could still oppose the Hyde Amendment but also could promise -- a la Mitt Romney in 2002 -- not to change existing law? This is laughable. How can a man of strong leadership and convictions take a stance like this? A true leader has to stand up for what he/she believes in. So saying I oppose Hyde Amendment but won't do anything about it means you are weak and you don't believe your own convictions. A staunch conservative like Brownback or Newt will destroy Rudy during the debates.