Giuliani suddenly decides gay marriage is bad or something
posted at 8:42 pm on April 20, 2009 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Mind you, this is a guy who’s not only been divorced twice but who used to live with a gay couple.
“I think gay marriage will obviously be an issue for any Republican next year because Republicans are either in favor of the position I’m in favor of, civil unions, or in many cases Republicans don’t even favor civil unions,” he continued.
Giuliani, who is slated to address a Republican fund-raising gala in Albany tonight in what is widely described as further proof of his interest in running for governor, said he’s committed to the traditional definition of marriage.
“Marriage, I believe, both traditionally and legally, has always been between a man and a woman and should remain between a man and woman,” said Giuliani, who has been married three times.
“And Democrats, including President Obama and Hillary Clinton, have essentially the same position I have, which is let’s have civil unions but not go so far as to change the definition of marriage…
A Quinnipiac poll earlier this month found only 41 percent of New York voters — and just 33 percent of black voters — back gay marriage.
Does anyone but anyone interpret this as anything other than pure political calculation? He needs conservative upstate votes to beat Cuomo so suddenly he’s drawing a line in the sand over gay marriage? Why not embrace gay marriage, make headlines nationwide as a “progressive” Republican on the issue, and fight Cuomo on the issue of fiscal conservatism? The gay-marriage bill is going to pass in New York with heavy margins in favor. Get on the right side of it, make your mark, and then take a stand on the hill of the economy. Hard to read this as anything other than Rudy still harboring national ambitions, which is nutty.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Too late dude. You’ve already worn that dress.
- The Cat
MirCat on April 20, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Maybe he’s still trying to win Florida.
Mark1971 on April 20, 2009 at 8:46 PM
It’s a calculation…unless maybe, just maybe someone got a hold of him & explained the clear reasons why it’s better to leave marriage as it is.
jgapinoy on April 20, 2009 at 8:46 PM
When I saw the headline I thought there was going to be some bit about Rudy posturing for the next presidential run.
And on that note, please, for the love of Pete, avoid all subjects related to next election for at least the next year and a half. I am so burned out over this stuff.
Weebork on April 20, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I don’t think he has any more presidential
aspirationsdelusions, but he wants to be a player in GOP politics.jgapinoy on April 20, 2009 at 8:48 PM
There never, ever will be another “off” season.
jgapinoy on April 20, 2009 at 8:49 PM
I love Rudy, and I’m glad to hear him say this.
capitalist piglet on April 20, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Of all the days to say that . . .
- The Cat
MirCat on April 20, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Wasn’t his original position that it should be between a man and his second cousin?
dedalus on April 20, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Eh. Doesn’t sound like he’s *that* against it. Just a little triangulation. Of course, Giuliani isn’t exactly Mayor Subtlety.
Proud Rino on April 20, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Unless he “lived” with them like unmarried couples “live” together then I don’t see how that’s relevant.
Yeah that is incredibly nutty. Rudy didn’t really have a chance the first go around. With national security being a somewhat non-issue I really don’t see how he’d even get the same votes as last time let alone more.
Kronos on April 20, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Perhaps an Attorney General in the ‘12 Jindal Administration?
jgapinoy on April 20, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Isn’t it obvious Allah, he’s going with the ‘late county’ strategy. Where he is going to win the counties were almost no lives (minus Staten Island) and lose horribly in the NYC metro area, where everyone lives.
Genius at work.
Lance Murdock on April 20, 2009 at 8:51 PM
RINO!!!!!!!
DwnSouthJukin on April 20, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Gay marriage, pot, atheism…let’s see, my address bar doesn’t say “Reason.com”…where am I?
see-dubya on April 20, 2009 at 8:52 PM
right on. marriage belongs between two people where the body parts fit and the exits are treated as exits…not entrances.
The Wall on April 20, 2009 at 8:53 PM
I don’t understand. If you know gay people you can’t be against gay marriage? Or gays themselves even be against it? I’m not following here.
Spirit of 1776 on April 20, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Seems like a lot of postings with homoesexual references. What is with this?
Wade on April 20, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Agreed. Although I’m not so sure about the “heavy margins” in favor.
JetBoy on April 20, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Proof that too many people on the right has no sense of humor. No wonder we got our butt kicked the last two elections. Who wants to listen to a bunch of humorless cranks.
Chekote on April 20, 2009 at 8:54 PM
YOU’RE IN NEW GOP HQ, BABY!
Allahpundit on April 20, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Same reason he’s always favored civil-unions. As Giuliani himself said, most Democrats also oppose gay marriage, so there’s no political advantage to putting himself to the far right of voters he would need to win statewide election.
RightOFLeft on April 20, 2009 at 8:57 PM
I fervently disagree.
New York is a liberal state, but not moreso than California. Second, the NY State Senate Dem Caucus erupted into civil war over this very issue. Just about all of the NY Republicans come from upstate now, which is more conservative. The bill won’t pass the Senate. This is nothing more than Paterson’s last attempt to stay relevant as he begins to fade from the minds of New Yorkers.
KingGold on April 20, 2009 at 8:57 PM
You know, I had to think about what you wrote for, like, 10 seconds. I’m too much of a nerd to pay attention to the details of trivial things like 4-20.
…
Rudy should just stick to what he really believes, rather than taking the political view. The tea parties should have indicated to him that people are getting very tired of not being authentic by standing and arguing on principles that they hold true.
Weebork on April 20, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Rudy is the only pro-choicer I’ve ever considered voting for. He is economically and militaryly a strong conservative. I like him on a personal level a lot and believed he would have been a better Prez than McCain. Even though he is pro-choice I doubt he would pick a liberal from the USSC b/c other issues so it would have been no problem with his Presidential duties.
lavell12 on April 20, 2009 at 8:58 PM
He’s too late on this issue. It’s quickly slipping out of the hands of conservatives who use it to scare people. The GOP needs to find another boogeyman and fast! — the election is less than 4 years away!!
dcwvu on April 20, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Yay! Glad to see we’ve taken that winning John McCain message to heart.
see-dubya on April 20, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Either you’re a total moron who didn’t understand a joke that was right in front of you or you’re a total moron who chose to treat an obvious joke as something else.
OneGyT on April 20, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Oh, yes, this is calculated… he does want to make the upstate electorate comfortable with him; however given the recent Spitzer/Patterson debacle, this won’t be too hard.
I guess Rudy is still part of that “Old Republican” party…
Upstater85 on April 20, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, the next Governor of The State of New York…
SuperCool on April 20, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Hey!
JetBoy on April 20, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Cut him some slack it is hard for a RINO to keep his message straight.
Next thing you know he will come out in favor of the 2nd Amendment.
F15Mech on April 20, 2009 at 9:07 PM
I don’t know…the NYS Senate could be close…or at least closer than the Assembly. At the very least, the Republicans may be able to pick up a few (probably a small few) state seats because of it.
Pope Linus on April 20, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Sounds like someone is going to run for POTUS in 2012.
Can’t wait to watch Ron Paul beat him like a drum… again.
JohnGalt23 on April 20, 2009 at 9:07 PM
I love Rudy. For all of you people who want to know how conservative he is, he ran NYC as a conservative. Cut spending, cut taxes many times, was against gays in St. Patrick’s Day parade with a float dedicated to Irish Gays (Giuliani said sexuality should not be a part of a parade), abortions were reduced, crime lowered, businesses prospered, kicked Sharpton’s ass instead of kissing it like some politicians in the city, etc.
Rudy was terrific. I hope he does run for governor.
jencab on April 20, 2009 at 9:10 PM
What does Meghan McCain think about this?
MadisonConservative on April 20, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Says the Paulbearer ;)
Upstater85 on April 20, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Guiliani is the New Gingrich, like ya know?
Feedie on April 20, 2009 at 9:13 PM
The upstate electorate is comfortable with him as they know his record of turning around NYC from an economic disaster to a thriving metropolis. Giuliani is the best fiscal conservative around and everyone who lives in the state knows that.
Ann NY on April 20, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Some would say we should ask you ;)
I’m sure she’ll label him a creeper or something all mavericky/progressive like that…
Upstater85 on April 20, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I also liked how he fought with art exhibits that were less art and more attack pieces.
- The Cat
MirCat on April 20, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Yeah, that’s what my point was further down… Yes, there are SoCons that don’t like his social policies, but they will come out to vote for him as long as he promises to have policies reasonably to the right of Paterson.
Further, he also appeals to many socially conservative democrats…
Upstater85 on April 20, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Not quite true. Gays were prevented from joining the St. Pat’s parade because it was run by a private organization…namely the Ancient Order of Hibernians. A decision which I wholeheartedly approve of.
JetBoy on April 20, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Giuliani, a day late and a dollar short. Enjoy your retirement. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
GarandFan on April 20, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Along with gay marriage, pot smoking, and abortion. You know what else what Republicans NEED to embrace? Universal health care.
The New GOP LOGO:
Because we are not Europe yet!
terryannonline on April 20, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I think it’s nice that he got through that without mentioning how awesome he was on 9/11.
Lehosh on April 20, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Funny considering today a poll shows most new yorkers support gay marrage.
William Amos on April 20, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Um, is Paterson throwing in the towel? Cuomo is the AG, he will need to raise funds to run and win a primary first.
dentalque on April 20, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Really? Geez Giuliani is not the most astute politician is he?
terryannonline on April 20, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I’m pro life and I’d still vote for Rudy because he leaves it up to the states.
The idiotic reference to his living with gay people is a non sequitor… and as for his multiple marriages, well if those marriages were with men, there would be a point in bringing it up.
atheling on April 20, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Why not embrace gay marriage, make headlines nationwide as a “progressive” Republican on the issue
Maybe being seen as a “progressive” Republican isn’t as great a boon as you think? Even in New York State. Ever consider that one?
I see you’re drinking the “Social Cons are what’s killing the Republican party” Kool-Aid. And that’s Kool-Aid flavored with BS. Meghan McCain mixing that crap up for you?
Newsflash. NYC ain’t the only part of the world that matters. Even in NY State.
I was at a Democratic fundraiser Upstate a few years ago, and you would be surprised-otherwise liberal Democratic pols express great antipathy (privately, and sometimes publicly) to the idea of gays getting married.
There’s a reason why a state with an electorate nearly as liberal as New York State (California) killed this idea at the polls.
And the NYC lefties aren’t going to vote for Giuliani now anyway. He’s a fascist you know, because he, like….believes criminals should be put in jail, which was okay at first when the city was a cesspool, but now it just seems so…..primitive. Plus, he supported Bush in his fascist and oh so tasteless war.
And that whole thing at the art museum 10 years ago. I mean really….
Hard to read this as anything other than Rudy still harboring national ambitions, which is nutty.
Why? Politicians more down and out than Rudy have staged a comeback. Nixon comes to mind.
Dreadnought on April 20, 2009 at 9:38 PM
To those who mentioned that Giuliani reduced abortions during his tenure… can you provide data for that? I’m not dismissing this; this would prove quite useful in the future.
Scott H on April 20, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I bet he thinks incest is cool.
LevStrauss on April 20, 2009 at 9:44 PM
But what do they think of it in Iowa and South Carolina?
LevStrauss on April 20, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Only time will tell whether Rudy Giuliani is engaging in political calculation or has become a wiser man. But why do people presume that “a guy who’s not only been divorced twice but who used to live with a gay couple” can not honestly conclude that “gay marriage” is harmful to traditional marriage, children and the public good. One might hope that two personal failures ending in divorce would bring some personal insight and humility and some new wisdom about marriage. And what is with that line about “who used to live with a gay couple”? Are we supposed to presume any and all who are acquainted with homosexuals must as a matter of course accept “gay marriage”? Or that only the benighted are opposed?
Mike OMalley on April 20, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Heaven forbid that someone should actually side with the people. What the hell do his divorces have to do with anything? Lived with a gay couple? So what? Once again AP accepts the liberal premise that those that oppose gay marriage are bigots.
Why not embrace it? Because the issue is a loser for any Conservative and is opposed in almost every state that has had a say on the matter. THE MAJORITY IS WITH US, OBAMA HIMSELF OPPOSES GAY MARRIAGE. Get a clue AP and quit listening to Meghan McCain, moderation is not the winning formula. It has been tried and it failed.
Supporting gay marriage will be seen by the lefties and the centrists as a political calculation and will not buy any votes. Throwing ones principals under the bus is not respected and it is a recipe for failure.
echosyst on April 20, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I saw that in the Daily News, but it doesn’t mean that the state senate will follow. There are 32 Dems and 30 GOP, but probably 4 Dems led by Reuben Diaz will likely vote against it. Don’t know if any GOP senators are planning to support the bill.
dedalus on April 20, 2009 at 9:52 PM
I was one of those ragging on Rudy during the primaries and at this point I’m ready to do a 360 or 180 or whatever it is
Anybody, and I mean damn near anybody but this Obama guy. PPlease, it has only been 100 days but it seems like 500.
Can’t you imagine what this country will be like in 4 years
kangjie on April 20, 2009 at 9:52 PM
The Siena College poll is certainly an outlier with no publicly available sampling or weighting data, which makes me immediately suspicious.
Dreadnought on April 20, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Rudy, I want my 200 bucks back.
You ran a dreadful campaign. I sent you the check because I figured you could beat Hillary.
I guess the jokes on me, then isn’t it.
Grrrr….
Fool me once…
Bruno Strozek on April 20, 2009 at 9:55 PM
AP, don’t you live in “New Yawk City?” Only time I’ve been in the state was crossing over on a trip to Niagara Falls, and even I know this is Guiliani’s long-term position.
Guiliani’s position is, and has been for a decade or so, in favor of civil unions but considering marriage a man/woman kind of thing.
If you’ve got information that he has ever spoken out in favor of same-sex marriage (not civil unions, BTW), please share.
cs89 on April 20, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Might I suggest that it is just possible that Guillani does support traditional marriage… in theory at least. He is Catholic right?
petunia on April 20, 2009 at 9:59 PM
He’s full of crap, he is doing this to bow down to the Far Right Loon Brigade.
Prove it.
Aw shucks – you forgot to mention how much Rudy embraces gun owners, the Second Amendment and how much he loves to hunt….
Remember Joe Biden’s whacky response to the guy with the guns on the youtube debate?
That very same response could have flowed freely from Rudy’s lips…..
AprilOrit on April 20, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Oh yes, he supports it so much the first time around he married his cousin….apparently a big no no in Catholicism.
AprilOrit on April 20, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Rudy is a bit of an enigma to me.
I find him very appealing though I am pro-life, pro-2nd amendment, and prefer that marriage retain its legal distinction.
Rudy spoke eloquently, and forcefully, about his strong commitment to federalism and Constitutional originalism when comparing his national ambitions to his mayoral record.
I believed him. And I think he would have been a far, far better choice than McCain.
Saltysam on April 20, 2009 at 10:10 PM
cs89 on April 20, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Or is at least 8-9 years “Suddenly” now, in the Age of Obama?
cs89 on April 20, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Yes, I can….
defiantly conservative.
Saltysam on April 20, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Yeah, I guess The 51% of New York State residents who were against gay marriage in the latest Quinnipiac poll are all “Far Right Loons”. 51% of New York State residents are “far right”!!! Who knew???? Now taking bets on the first state to secede during the Obama presidency, Texas….or New York.
Hey-uck that’ll suuuuure piss off us hillbillies up here when we find out the truth, huh city-slicker?
Spoken like a typical insular downstate denizen who’s never been north of 233rd Street in her life. Spend some time up here, maybe you’d learn something.
Dreadnought on April 20, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I don’t see him having all that much trouble against Cuomo. Republican executives are a good fit for NY, and they haven’t had much trouble convincing anyone of that for at least the last 10 years. Paterson’s reminded everyone why they were happy with Pataki, even though thinking about Pataki era Albany could put you to sleep.
He may be pulling out all the stops and maneuver early and often in a race against cuomo but i wouldn’t recommend it. Just run as Pataki competence + Rudy ruthlessness and its in the bag.
ernesto on April 20, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I woulda voted Rudy in the general hands down. I trust the guy. He’s in your face and ruthless if you cross him, but he was able to really turn a bad thing around in NYC. Left the place on its way to spotless for bloomberg, who if he werent so egomaniacal would be the best chief executive the city’s had in a long long time.
ernesto on April 20, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Does Van Cortlandt Park count?
dedalus on April 20, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Ah, Rudy…AP’s bete noir.
Jim-Rose on April 20, 2009 at 10:40 PM
But wait isnt that Yonkers???
/sarc
ernesto on April 20, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Hmmm… why let the state have the power to “change the definition of marriage” in the first place?
DaveS on April 20, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I’m sure doofpundit knows as much about NY Politics as he seems to know about LA politics.
TTheoLogan on April 20, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Wrong! I have relatives in Younkers & The Bronx my fine feathered and furry Hillwilliam.
And unlike Rudy I support the Second Amendment and believe in the right to bear arms and the right to own dogs. That’s the other problem I have with Rudy – he hates dogs.
Imagine a President in the White House without a damn dog? Now that’s twisted.
AprilOrit on April 20, 2009 at 11:35 PM
AprilOrit on April 20, 2009 at 11:35 PM
So… where’s your proof that Rudy ever supported same-sex marriage?
(crickets)
cs89 on April 20, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I also have relatives in Rye, Scarsdale & Rockland County?
Does that count?
AprilOrit on April 20, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Rudy and his current wife have six marriages between them.
What’s next… diet advice from rush limbaugh?
benny shakar on April 20, 2009 at 11:52 PM
What’s Guiliani’s record on this issue? If he’s supporting an issue that he really supports, then more power to him.
To me gay marriage is a state issue. But then, to me, education and welfare are issues for the private sector.
hawksruleva on April 20, 2009 at 11:54 PM
I’m assuming this is sarcasm….at least I hope so.
Most of us Upstate who agree with you, are sophisticated enough to realize that the majority of the electorate in NY State doesn’t agree (thanks in good part to your downstate compatriots, though not totally, I admit). And it’s not like there is a viable alternative to Republican pols like Rudy on this issue. Who are we going to vote for, Cuomo?
Dreadnought on April 21, 2009 at 12:02 AM
hawksruleva on April 20, 2009 at 11:54 PM
His position is pro civil union/domestic partnership, anti same sex marriage.
As has always been his position, far as I can tell.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=2915659&page=2
Not sure where NY political observers AP and AprilOrit got the “Suddenly!” from.
cs89 on April 21, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Running for governor of NY?
Hope he wins.
National office?
Too late.
profitsbeard on April 21, 2009 at 12:14 AM
I doubt there is any thinking going on in that echo chamber.
Sultanofsham on April 21, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Giuliani NEVER supported gay marriage. He always supported civil unions. Only the uninformed would think that this is news.
Chekote on April 21, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Is there any chance that this is his actual belief and that he just ran as pro gay to win in NYC? Maybe he actually feels this way.
lavell12 on April 21, 2009 at 1:12 AM
Unoriginal. Not voting for another Bush. :o)
Mommypundit on April 21, 2009 at 7:16 AM
Thank you for clarifying your identity.
maverick muse on April 21, 2009 at 7:35 AM
Though having personal (not political) experience and time to note the societal results and further impact down the road eroding rule of law by negating definition, you would deny Giuliani his opinion and promote a false record to validate yourself.
Yellow.
maverick muse on April 21, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Giuliani clarified his position. He recognizes civil unions. He also recognizes that marriage is between a man and a woman.
The Republican Party was established on that premise. Those demanding the foundation platform be removed from the GOP have no strength of argument claiming the lie that “nothing will change”.
The critics counting how many times a person marries are the same who defy marriage. That nasty approach extends from a nasty background. Physician, heal thyself.
maverick muse on April 21, 2009 at 7:51 AM
What was Rudy’s position on it to this point? Is this significantly different? I cant imagine he was pro gay marriage but I could be wrong.
Dash on April 21, 2009 at 7:54 AM
You know what’s nutty? AP! I don’t expect Allah to really be anything but politically tone-deaf, but my God could he at least write with a little common sense.
“Progressive” Republican? Wasn’t that a “Progressive” Republican that we just got our ass waxed with? This idea that the Republican party needs to move even more left belies any common sense. Please stop the insanity. Or else just bring on David Brooks and Kathleen Parker and turn Hot Air into the “Progressive” Hot Air. Everyone but Allah seems to know that crap like “Progressive” Republican is just that…CRAP!
jmell7 on April 21, 2009 at 9:08 AM
You may argue that it is not good politics, and he should stick to fiscal conservatism, but seriously Allah, to suggest that because Rudy has gay friends who took him in, and was twice divorced means that he has no moral standing and should endorse gay marriage is a tortured, self-serving argument.
It’s akin to saying that someone with black friends is obligated to support affirmative action.
Moreover, do you really want to take the position that people who have been divorced have no right to take a position on gay marriage? What does one have to do with the other? Do divorced people have no right to take a position on issues like polygamy? Pedophilia? Sharia Law?
Buy Danish on April 21, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Even an atheist has to use the correct term: same-sex pseudo-marriage.
corona on April 21, 2009 at 9:45 AM
This has always been his position. He was never in favor of gay marriage. The only change-up is when he went against a ruling that said civil unions held a national equivalency to marriage.
So to AP & The Idiot Choir – by criticizing Rudy for being friends with gay couples, your bigotry is showing.
Way to make Megan McCain look prescient.
budfox on April 21, 2009 at 9:52 AM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »