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Jennifer, a certain esteemed publication also published a column called "It's Giuliani Time" in October of 2005, saying this:

"In 30-plus years, the religious right as a political movement has grown very sophisticated and practical about what it wants and what it can get at any given time. In the legislative arena, for example, pro-life politicos have picked careful battles, on partial birth abortion and parental notification. Meanwhile, elect more and more Republicans. The judiciary has the muscle on all the social issues, and has had ever since Roe.

"Here, the great karmic wheel of politics has turned almost enough to excuse Giuliani social liberalism. After all, what can a President do to affect abortion politics? Most important, appoint judges. By the end of George W. Bush's term, he will have appointed two, perhaps three, justices to the Supreme Court. Would Giuliani appoint a Ruth Bader Ginsburg, either to SCOTUS or a lower court? Given the ex-mayor's bent toward free-market reform and stout crime enforcement, no. A judge conservative on economic and criminal justice matters is likely to take a conservative view of social issues, too.

"Some of my religious confreres will not be able to stomach Giuliani having marched in drag in gay pride parades or his stated pro-choice opinions. But many of us will take a practical look at him and at the office of President and ask, 'How much could he hurt our cause?' The answer would be, 'Not much..'"

"IN POLITICS, YOU CAN'T have everything. But without winning, you don't have anything, nor any prospect of getting any. Support Giuliani loses on the right will be more than offset by votes he can win elsewhere. Importantly, given his strengths in law enforcement, terror response, and welfare reform, those votes will not come from the left. He will not make the Republican Party more liberal. He will make it bigger."

topics:
Abortion, Law, Supreme Court