Giuliani losing steam in '08 presidential race

The former New York City mayor has been slipping in the polls as social issues – not security concerns – have dominated.

from the May 18, 2007 edition

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High stakes in abortion debate

"The stakes will be very high when the campaign moves into full swing, because abortion will probably be on the agenda very soon for the Supreme Court," says independent pollster John Zogby. "The recent Supreme Court ruling was pretty much the kick in the pants that the [pro-abortion rights] side needed. That's precisely the history of the abortion issue: Whichever side faces a cataclysmic event gets mobilized. Meanwhile, the prolife side is so well organized."

That may not be good news for Giuliani, who, in the first debate, appeared not to feel strongly either way when asked about the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade. Until now, Giuliani has been saved, in part, by the perceived weaknesses of the other top-tier Republican candidates, McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

McCain is not a beloved figure among social conservatives, in part because of his support for limits on campaign spending and also because of highly critical comments he made about Mr. Falwell and other religious conservative leaders in the 2000 election. Mr. Romney is also suspect, because of his recent conversion to conservative positions on social issues.

Republican voters' lack of enthusiasm for their candidates, compared with Democrats' attitudes about theirs, has kept speculation alive that additional candidates will enter the race. But even if the field stands as is, Giuliani's maverick position on social issues could dog him and distract him from the areas he'd rather talk about right up until the first caucuses and primaries.

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