Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : THE WHITE HOUSE -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: GROUND ZERO™ who wrote (4681)	5/15/2007 7:20:16 PM
From: pompsander	Respond to of 25737

Pure Horserace: All Eyes On Rudy, Romney Expect Giuliani To Face More Abortion Questions At Tonight's Debate Giuliani: No 'Roe' Litmus Test For Judges Republican Hopeful Reaffirms "Passionate" Support For Abortion Rights (CBS) The first time all 10 Republicans gathered together for a nationally televised debate, the results were less than electric. But due to the attention some of these candidates have received in the past two weeks, more fireworks are expected when the field takes the stage tonight at the University of South Carolina. Most eyes will be on Rudy Giuliani, who has been under a microscope of late on issues ranging from his consulting business connections to his evolving and sometimes confusing position on abortion. The trouble for the former New York City mayor began at the last debate, held at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in California, where Giuliani appeared to simultaneously support the over-turning of Roe v. Wade while remaining a supporter of abortion rights. Either way the courts ultimately decided, he said, would be "OK" with him. Pledges to appoint "strict constructionist" judges as president — code to conservatives for judges who would be more likely to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court decision — have failed to comfort abortion foes because they've been accompanied by Giuliani's firm support for a woman's right to choose. Expect more than a couple questions for Giuliani on the issue and several more on other social hot-buttons where he parts ways with many in the GOP base. When Giuliani is not on the hot seat, Mitt Romney is likely to attract the attention of the Fox News debate moderators and maybe some of his rivals. As Giuliani has gotten intense scrutiny of late, Romney has enjoyed something of a media boomlet. He is on the current issue of Time magazine, was featured on 60 Minutes last Sunday night and has raised his profile through cable ads that are also running in Iowa and New Hampshire. While both men came to the race with similar weaknesses on social issues near and dear to many Republicans who vote in the primary process, Romney has thus far handled the questions better. Whereas Giuliani has sought to walk a very narrow line on abortion, Romney simply changed his position altogether. Formerly a supporter of abortion rights, the former Massachusetts governor is now a staunch opponent of abortion. He has taken a similar approach to other social issues, such as gun control. The primary beneficiary of all the increased scrutiny of these two, particularly Giuliani, could be John McCain, who is looking for redemption in South Carolina after his bruising loss here to President Bush six years ago. His performance at the last GOP debate was somewhat jittery in style but mostly solid on substance. And while many Republicans continue to talk of additions to the field such as Fred Thompson, the Arizona senator remains the de facto establishment candidate — something that has been a decided advantage for past GOP nominees. As was the case in California, the rest of the field will look to somehow break out of the pack and move closer to the three current front-runners. Tommy Thompson has stepped into a number of verbal flubs of late, including one during the last debate where he said it would be acceptable for a private employer to fire a worker because of their sexual preference. Thompson has apologized and retracted the answer, blaming it on a bad hearing aid and illness. Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter, Jim Gilmore and Ron Paul continue to be unable to distinguish themselves in this homogenous field. Their best chance for a big win tonight might just be more scrutiny of Giuliani. After all, when you can't bring yourself to the top of the group, it's just as good to bring the group to you. — Vaughn Ververs, Columbia, S.C.