May 11, 2007

I listened to a discussion on a local radio station yesterday about Rudy Giuliani, abortion and the GOP vote. Would pro-life republicans vote for Rudy in the primary and general election, should he get the nomination? What if the choice were between Rudy and Hillary Clinton? Would pro-lifers vote for him over her and take their chances, or would they sit home, allowing Hillary to become president and hoping for a pro-life nominee next time?

Politics is about compromise and slowly moving the ball forward. No one consistently gets his or her way. We have four pro-life judges on the supreme court and they are young enough to survive one or two terms of a liberal democrat president. Justice Stevens – a liberal pro-choicer – would likely retire under a democratic president, allowing another liberal to be named, so no gain or loss there.

Giuliani is tough on terrorism and says he would name strict constructionists to the court, though he remains pro-choice. Is that enough for pro-lifers? The stakes are high. We know the kinds of judges Hillary would name and she probably would be weak on the war and high on taxes. Tough choice, but it may come to that.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.