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I just spoke will Bill Simon, Rudy Giuliani's domestic advisor and asked him about Giuliani's positions on judges, gun contol, and partial birth abortion.

I asked Simon about a story today in the Politico, which says that the judges Giuliani appointed as mayor leaned to the left, in contrast to his promise to appoint strict constructionist judges. Simon said the story was "comparing apples and oranges." When Giuliani appointed judges in New York, he could only choose from a pool of three judges who were nominated by a 19-person advisory committee. So, he didn't have a free rein to appoint whoever he wanted. Simon reiterated Giuliani's pledge to appoint strict constructionists were he elected president.

On gun control, I asked him specifically whether Giuliani would sign or veto an assualt weapon's ban if it were passed by the Democratic Congress. He said it was "premature" to answer that at this point, and reiterated Giuliani's stance that he supports the Second Amendment and believes that any restrictions should be at the local rather than the federal level.

I asked him about Giuliani's opposition to a ban on partial birth abortion when he ran for Senate in 2000. Simon assured me that Giuliani now supports a ban, as long as there is an exception for the life of the mother.

UPDATE: The Politico's Ben Smith responds to the defense of Rudy's NY judicial appointments.

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Abortion