Giuliani Discusses Abortion Rights, Promotes Adoption

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani,who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, on Mondaywhile campaigning in Iowa said that if he is elected president, he willwork to reduce abortions by increasing support for adoption servicesnationwide, the Washington Timesreports. Giuliani, who supports abortion rights, has said New YorkCity's adoption rate rose 133% after his eight years as mayor becauseof tax credits, as well as programs such as adoption fairs and"Adoption Saturdays," which recruited judges to help finalize adoptionson weekends. He also has said that the number of abortions in the citydecreased by 16% during the same period.

"I would like to dothat for America," he said, adding, "I would like to see adoptionsincrease dramatically, and I would like to see women consideringabortion have that option available to them." The Democratic National Committee released a statement challenging Giuliani's figures, citing press reports that adoption rates decreased during most of his time as mayor (Dinan, Washington Times,8/7). Giuliani said that he would make permanent a $10,000 tax creditfor adoption expenses. He also said he would leave in place currentrestrictions that allow federal funds to be used for abortions only incases of rape, incest or when there is a threat to the life of thepregnant woman, Radio Iowareports. "I believe that's a fair balance," Giuliani said. He added,"It allows states to make different decisions ... meaning people caneffectuate their will better" (Henderson, Radio Iowa, 8/6).

Giuliani during his campaign stops also pledged to address the concerns of Republican voters who oppose abortion rights, the Associated Pressreports. "One of my commitments is that we will look for the commonground that people have in this whole issue, which is a very difficultone," Giuliani said (Associated Press, 8/7). He added,"The common ground here is that I have already a definable record ofincreasing adoptions and decreasing abortions. I would expand thatnationally" (Brune, Long Island Newsday, 8/7).
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