[First, a shameless plug for my blog, Senate 2008 Guru: Following the Races.]
It seems like, at one time or another, every top Republican candidate for President in 2008 made pro-choice comments. This can't be pleasant news for radical right-wingers like the Jerry Falwells, Pat Robertsons, and James Dobsons of the world.
Read more below the jump for pro-choice commentary from Giuliani, Romney, McCain, and even Fred Thompson!
NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who at present appears to be the front-runner of the '08 GOP pack, has been pretty consistantly pro-choice, no matter how he may temper his rhetoric to appeal to a more conservative audience.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, whose flip-flops are becoming too numerous to mention, has notoriously gone back-and-forth-and-back-and-forth regarding his position(s) on abortion.
Even Arizona Senator John McCain has had his flirtations with pro-choice commentary. He has said that he would not support the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Further, back in 2000, he certainly seemed pro-choice and pro-right-to-privacy when asked what would happen if his then-15-year-old daughter became pregnant and wanted an abortion. McCain answered: "The final decision would be made by Meghan with our advice and counsel."
And, now, even GOP Flavor of the Week former Senator Fred Thompson has a pro-choice past that is now coming out of the closet. During his '94 Senate bid, Thompson said "that the ultimate decision to have an abortion 'must be made by the woman.'"
When anti-choice far-right conservatives decide who to cast their lot with in 2008, they will have to reconcile their support with these comments by Giuliani, Romney, McCain, and Thompson. To avoid any hypocrisy, they will likely have to get behind someone like Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, however remote his chances are of appealing to a broader electorate.