Giuliani's Startling Departure on Civil Unions [Giuliani weaseling]

The New York Sun ^ | April 27, 2007 | RYAN SAGER

[Jim Robinson]

In a startling departure from his previously stated position on civil unions, Mayor Giuliani came out to The New York Sun yesterday evening in opposition to the civil union law just passed by the New Hampshire state Senate.

" Mayor Giuliani believes marriage is between one man and one woman. Domestic partnerships are the appropriate way to ensure that people are treated fairly," the Giuliani campaign said in a written response to a question from the Sun. "In this specific case the law states same sex civil unions are the equivalent of marriage and recognizes same sex unions from outside states. This goes too far and Mayor Giuliani does not support it."

The Democratic governor of New Hampshire, John Lynch, has said publicly that he will sign the civil union law.

On a February 2004 edition of Fox News's "The O'Reilly Factor," Mr. Giuliani told Bill O'Reilly, when asked if he supported gay marriage, "I'm in favor of … civil unions."

He also said, "Marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman." Asked by Mr. O'Reilly in the interview how he would respond to gay Americans who said being denied access to the institution of marriage violated their rights, Mr. Giuliani said: "That's why you have civil partnerships. So now you have a civil partnership, domestic partnership, civil union, whatever you want to call it, and that takes care of the imbalance, the discrimination, which we shouldn't have." In 1998, as mayor of New York City, Mr. Giuliani signed into law a domestic partnership bill that a gay rights group, the Empire State Pride Agenda, hailed as setting "a new national benchmark for domestic partner recognition."

[wagglebee]

I don’t think Fred and Rudy are that far apart on the issue of gays. Both against gay marriage.

Are you really that obtuse or are you deliberately disingenuous? Fred Thompson does not favor homosexual unions or marriage, Rudy wants homosexual unions that are identical to marriage.

I notice that you have still been unable to cite a SINGLE constitutional right that homosexuals are denied.

Homosexuals already have civil rights, NOBODY is trying to take those away, what they are asking for is "special" rights that nobody else enjoys.

[Jim Robinson]

http://www.stonewallvets.org/MayorRudy.htm

http://www.stonewallvets.org/RudyGiuliani.htm

[CharlesWayneCT]

The nice thing about being a Rudy supporter is, no matter how much you defended his positions as previously stated, if he changes his position you can quickly defend the new one, since your support has nothing to do with his positions on anything.

So I presume the people who supported Rudy and said that civil unions were great (I remember them smearing other people suggesting for example that Reagan would support civil unions) will not be out saying how this proves he is a good conservative and how he’s right not to support civil unions.

Oh, and how this makes him even MORE electable than he was when he had the more liberal position, even though before they argued that his more liberal position would help us win since conservatism is dead.

[kevkrom]

Oh, and how this makes him even MORE electable than he was when he had the more liberal position, even though before they argued that his more liberal position would help us win since conservatism is dead.

Cognitive dissonance is a common trait of liberals, no matter what they call themselves.

[ClarenceThomasfan]

Good for Rudy. If he moves a little bit more to the right, he’ll be perfect.

Go Rudy!

[CharlesWayneCT]

So, did you oppose Rudy’s previous position on civil unions, or this new one? Or don’t you care one way or another what his views are?

[Jim Robinson]

War is not civil. We are at war with galloping socialism and the enemy is within the gates. If you think I’m going to be civil with people who are promoting an end to our freedom, you’re nuts.

[Hydroshock]

He is not moving to the right, he is lying.

[Leatherneck_MT]

“The war against Islamofascism is the ONLY priority in my decision making process at the moment regarding the upcoming elections.”

Then please don’t support anyone who leaves our borders free and open no matter what they claim about the WOT. We are being invaded there and most of the pols have zero concern over that.

[CharacterCounts]

He thinks just about everything is up to the states.

You mean he took the time to read and understand this:

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Then why would Rudy wish to marry gay couples if gay marriage were legalized? He said that he would do so if gay marriage became legal. Is he really, REALLY against it?

[veronica]

It’s ok if you think I am a liar. I am sorry you feel that way, because I have defended you and your site to all sorts of leftwing nutters and other assorted clowns. And I am going to continue to take the high road and try to debate these issues with civility.

[Liz]

From Mayor Giuliani's archives of the Mayor's Press Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, June 11, 2001 Release # 200-01
Contact: Sunny Mindel/Matthew Higgins (212)788-2958

======================================================= MAYOR GIULIANI PROCLAIMS MONTH OF JUNE LESBIAN AND GAY PRIDE AND HISTORY MONTH; Hosts Gracie Mansion Reception in Honor of New York City's Lesbian and Gay Community

=======================================================

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion in honor of New York City's diverse lesbian and gay community and proclaimed June Lesbian and Gay Pride and History Month. "It would be impossible to imagine modern New York without the enormous contributions gays and lesbians have made to every aspect of life in our City," the Mayor said. "New York would not be the Capital of the World -- the top city for business, technology, academia, fashion, theater, the culinary arts, the visual arts and a whole range of other human pursuits -- without the presence of our gay and lesbian community. The talent and energy of this community will be an essential element of our City's continued growth."

The Mayor also presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Gay Men's Chorus, which performed at the reception. The Gay Men's Chorus is celebrating their 21st Anniversary. The New York City Gay Men's Chorus was established in 1979 by former San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus member Edward Dryer Weaver.

The group rehearsed at Washington Square United Methodist Church, and gave its formal debut in the Great Hall of Cooper Union on December 19, 1980.

The 32nd Lesbian and Gay Pride March will take place on Sunday, June 24, 2001 in Manhattan. The theme of this year's celebration is: "What part of equal don't you understand?" The parade steps off at Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street and follows six gigantic rainbow balloon arches down Fifth Avenue.

[wagglebee]

If Rudy “moves a little bit more to the right” he will be a moderate Democrat who is roughly in line with Tom Daschle and Dick Gephardt.

He will never be a conservative. There are conservatives in the race though and maybe you should start taking a look at some of them because if conservatives have anything to say about it Rudy will be out of the picture long before the primaries.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Well, on this issue Rudy’s position is now closer to Thompson’s than it was before, if you trust that Rudy’s new position is what he really thinks.

I’d be more comfortable believing him if he would explain what made him change his mind. In the article, it sounds like he doesn’t think he changed his mind, and he gives no reason for a change.

While Thompson said exactly why he was beginning to question CFR, and Romney explained why he became more adamant about pro-life issues.

If Rudy would now change his position on gun control and abortion, and could explain why I should believe him, I would support him in the general election. I’m willing to give a man a second chance to be right — heck, my argument is that we CAN convince people that conservative principles are correct, so obviously I think we could convince Rudy to repent of his sins, so to speak.

Oddly, I’ve seen few Rudy supporters suggest he should repent and come back to the conservative position. Usually they tell us that he HAS to have those positions in order to get elected.

Are you worried that Rudy expressing more conservative positions will lose the independent vote?

[dirtboy]

It’s ok if you think I am a liar. I am sorry you feel that way

As Orwell once noted, omission is the most powerful form of lie. You try to make Rudy and Fred equivalent on gay rights by omitting key details.

And I am going to continue to take the high road and try to debate these issues with civility.

Lying by omission ain't civil, no matter how sweetly you present it.

[veronica]

We are at “war” with the Democrats, if we want to characterize the election as a war. If Rudy was so liberal, the Dems would not be caterwallling as they are about his comments and his positions. They seem to fear him a great deal.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

The nice thing about being a Rudy supporter is, no matter how much you defended his positions as previously stated, if he changes his position you can quickly defend the new one, since your support has nothing to do with his positions on anything.

This makes it perfect for the waffle breakfast fundraisers...

[Harrius Magnus]

“Fred Thompson says gay rights should be left up to the states. That’s called a punt.”

I haven’t heard him address that specifically, other than defining marriage as between Adam and Eve, not Steve. Regardless, it’s called FEDERALISM, (or on this board, Frederalism). You might want to look into it.

[veronica]

Again, I posted links to every article from which I extracted quotes.

I cannot count the number of times anti-Rudy posters here have posted unlnked, unsourced material about Rudy, to say nothing of downright lies, innuendo, gossip, etc.