I'm just equal parts glad and surprised he was actually honest about wanting taxpayer subsidies for abortion. Libertarians have a variety of positions on abortion -- basically all the way across the spectrum of US opinions -- but none of us, even the most feminist-pro-choice libertarians, wants taxpayer subsidies for abortions. The fact that he doesn't see what's morally wrong about forcing taxpayers who think a practice is murder to finance that same practice speaks volumes about Rudy's own morality. Of course, I'd already long questioned his ambitions and ethics since he was a hyperpolitical NY prosecutor expanding the "RICO" laws to the point that they could arguably subsequently apply quite well to a certain very politically powerful Church with a constant pattern of move-around & don't-punish wrist-slaps for serial sexual child-molestors, but BOY, do some people hate it when I point-out that particular obviousity! (Zippin' up the ol' Nomex undies...)
JMR

I agree Ken, this is a problem. I also entertained the idea of Rudy, but this idea of tax payer financed abortions is too far even with watering it down by saying the States should determine it because all it takes is the SCOTUS to saddle us with more mandates just like the recent EPA/CO2 decision.  Rudy has stated he is personally opposed to abortion but acknowledges the settled law on the matter, well Rudy if you can't live by your principles then who are you? Laws are created by the legislature to reflect the values of society, that's what a Republic is supposed to be about, not the dictatorship of the few who insist on their values being shoved down our collective throats.  Unless he comes out firmly against partial birth abortions, his appeal to the Conservatives is pretty much shot.  I think Mary Katharine Ham expressed my sentiments very closely on Town hall.

“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius

Oh yes indeed...I am almost CERTAIN that every single one of Rudy's points of political idealogy will become future legislation (eye roll). I am quite willing to categorize Rudy's views on abortion as politically left of moderate (but certainly not ultra-liberal by any means). Let's see...Reagan was allegedly anti-abortion...W.(43) is...and we still have...abortion. I realize the article is about how the media portrays Rudy's stated position...and not the issue of abortion itself or it's warranted rank of issues for politicians so my comment should be received in the context of the latter and I appreciate the truth of Shepherd's point...regardless of your view on abortion Rudy is to the left of moderate in a political context regarding abortion.

Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!