Will TLG run away in horror? See the latest from the Hill:
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) is considering endorsing Rudy Giuliani for the GOP presidential nomination and will meet with him Thursday in Washington to hear his views on abortion.
Brownback, who ended his White House run last week and is a champion of social conservative issues, said he would consider Giuliani because he had heard that the former New York City mayor had changed his position on partial-birth abortion and has pledged to appoint to the courts strict constructionists who would not overturn anti-abortion laws.
…
When asked about Giuliani’s position on allowing women the right to late-term abortions, also known as partial-birth abortions, Brownback said: “He is opposed to it. That’s what I’ve been told indirectly. I want to hear it from him.”
Brownback has not indicated that he is likely to support Giuliani, but he has not ruled it out. He said he is also considering endorsing other top-tier Republican candidates. Several have asked for his support in telephone conversations, and Brownback has already met with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to discuss a possible endorsement.
“I haven’t decided who or if and I haven’t decided when,” said Brownback.
Or maybe not?
Kim Lehman, president of Iowa Right to Life Committee and a member of the Iowans for Brownback Leadership Committee, said she met with a representative from Huckabee’s campaign Wednesday and has also been contacted by Thompson’s campaign.
“Brownback got quite a bit of Catholic support,” she said. “I’m seeing a lot of people at my end trying to decide which way to go.”
She said that social conservatives are beginning to peel away from Romney as they learn of statements he made in favor of abortion rights when he ran for Massachusetts governor in 2002.
She said she would be stunned if Brownback backed Giuliani.
“I find it simply hard to believe because Giuliani has expressed his position to even pay for abortion,” she said.
Lehman’s son, Zachariah Gordon, who served as pro-life coalition director for Brownback in Iowa, said Huckabee’s campaign has expressed interest in hiring him.He said it would be “hypocritical” for Brownback to endorse Giuliani or Romney because of their views on abortion.
Iowa sources close to Brownback said his grassroots organizers would try to keep his coalition of support intact until the Kansas senator endorsed a Republican candidate.
It would be a great pickup for Rudy if he did get Brownback’s endorsement. Whether it will actually happen or not is anyone’s guess. Everything about this race is unpredictable.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Well…
I suppose I have to comment!
Brownback’s not quite as nutty as someone like Pat ‘God Speaks to Me’ Robertson, so I’ll be okay with his endorsement, unlike the potential endorsement of the latter.
It would be a good pick up from a tactical standpoint, but Brownback’s only motivation for endorsing Rudy would be to try and get chosen as VP. He might just be delusional enough to think he has a chance. If he can allay the fears of so-cons (rightfully so, I believe), then that’s good.
Then again, if he could win comfortably without attracting religious zealots, that’d be even better…
October 24th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Giuliani/Brownfro?
October 24th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Brownback would skewer his own credibility in endorsing Rudy. To do so with the intent of becoming Rudy’s veep would be one of the most blatant sell-outs of all time.
Brownback has been accused of many things, but selling-out is not one of them. I don’t see it happening.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Just a guess, but Brownback will probably keep his powder dry until mid- to late-December when the impact of his endorsement could be maximized in Iowa, and when he can get the most for it.
But I still think he’ll stick to a pro-life candidate: Huck, McCain, or Thompson. McCain strikes me as the most likely, from the standpoint that it would help McCain the most, and McCain will be more desperate at that time. He might be willing to offer Brownback the veep slot.
Doubtful Fred would box himself in at that point (he doesn’t reach his tipping point till SC), and Huck will probably be polling strong at that point even without the endorsement.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
“She said that social conservatives are beginning to peel away from Romney as they learn of statements he made in favor of abortion rights when he ran for Massachusetts governor in 2002.”
What universe does this hack live in? Romney’s “flip-flops” have been all over the news since day one, and he has only really started to pick up momentum with Evangelical Conservatives in the last month.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Ok, and correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t th “statements he made in favor of abortion rights when he ran for Mass. governor in 2002″ simply the ones where he promised to maintain the current abortion laws. In a state with an 85% liberal legislature, can anyone honestly tell me that promise could be anything but a pro-life position?
October 24th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
there is no way Brownback would support Giuliani.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
ACT,
I didn’t mean to make this a Romney post to debate his credentials on abortion. But, to answer your question. No, probably even less know about Romney’s history than know that Rudy is actually pro choice…
Most haven’t been paying that close of attention.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
thats not what I’m saying. This article contains a quote that says that Evangelicals are leaving Romney – when all evidence I see and read says the exact opposite.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
What a hypocrite! If Brownback endorses Rudy after all this “I am the true conservative” crap, that would be a joke.
All Brownback’s criticism of Romney for switching positions on abortion and now he considers endorsing a candidate that is pro-life! What a joke.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Oops, make that “pro-choice.”
October 24th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
This makes great sense to me… he hates Romney… Fred has been nothing but a joke on the campaign trail… McCain is a great guy, but probably won’t be the nominee… Huck is the only other one to consider, and while even though he has had a good week… we haven’t heard a peep from him since the debate… and he still doesn’t have the money nor ground game to be taken seriously nationwide.
Rudy… President
Huckabee… VP
McCain…. Defense
Tancredo… Homeland Security
Brownback…. Agriculuture
Romney…. Commerce
Paul…. Janitor
October 24th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
“Brownback has been accused of many things, but selling-out is not one of them. I don’t see it happening.”
Were you in a coma during the immigration flap earlier this year?
October 24th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Brownback endorse Rudy? That would be twilightzone’ish.
If Brownback can look past his prejudices, I think his choices are McCain, Fred, Huckabee or Romney. My guess is he will go with McCain.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Brownback voted for the DREAM act today as well.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
ACT,
No need to correct you on #6. You are correct which is why the whole flip-flop charge is way overblown in the right-wing blogosphere. That would be the same insignificant and uninfluential blogosphere that Justin posted about earlier today on the front page. In the real world, Mitt is the conservative candidate with the organization to pass Rudy.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Sorry about the threadjack.
Brownback is a sell-out if he endorses Rudy.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I was pretty positive he would get behind McCain. Actually, I still am.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
#12,
It’d be better if we abolished the Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Commerce Departments.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Brownback was at 1% or something before he dropped out. Who cares whom he endorses? It won’t make a bit of difference.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Brownback won’t do that. If he did something like endorse Giuliani he would be putting a lot on the line for a very, very small chance that he would be Rudy’s VP choice.
If Brownback wants to do the best he can for himself and for conservatism he needs to get ready to run for governor in 2010. He would lose a lot of credibility and a lot of support that will be very helpful if and when he runs for governor. He won’t risk that on such a small chance of being VP.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
19 — I agree! Appoint Paul as head of all economic departments so he can stand back and do nothing.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Brownback would be a great pickup for anyone he endorses, but especially if its Giuliani….but I think he’s lost his status as a potential VP pick based on how little support he garnered and the fact that Huckabee stole his “religious right” mantle with such ease.
October 25th, 2007 at 5:57 am
[...] Hat Tip: Tommy Oliver at Race 4 2008: Will Brownback Turn to the Dark Side of the Force? [...]
October 25th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Read Medved column in yesterday’s USATODAY.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Brownback on whether he could back Giuliani in December ‘06 –
Oh, I think so. I believe in a big tent party. I believe in a party that binds people together even though we don’t agree on all of the topics, and so I think I could do that. But I think I’m going to be the nominee and not Rudy Giuliani.
Here’s the link. This is beyond probable and into the likely column, in my opinion.
October 25th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Let me remind everyone that Brownback is a hypocrit(sp). A few ays after he dropped out of the race, he dismissed the idea that Giuliani could be the GOP nominee. About a year or so ago, he actually said that he WOULD BE OK with a President Giuliani.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:31 am
So Brownback spends months going after Romney for his pro-choice PAST, but now he might endorse Rudy? Romney’s pro-life conversion isn’t good enough for him, but Rudy, who believes abortion should be fully legal, is?
I can’t imagine Brownback would support Rudy. I’m sure he’s mad at social conservatives for not uniting behind him, but he will lose all credibility if he endorses Rudy.
I still expect him to endorse McCain.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
27, I believe Brownback just said something to the effect that he didn’t THINK Giuliani would win the nomination, not that Giuliani couldn’t ever win the nomination and not that he wouldn’t ever support Giuliani. Listen, I don’t like Brownback’s hair either, but isn’t “hypocrite” a bit much? Lol.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
[...] known as partial-birth abortions, Brownback said: He is opposed to it. Thats what Ive source: Will Brownback Turn to the Dark Side of the Force?, [...]
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
[...] New York City mayor had changed his position on partial-birth abortion and has pledged t source: Will Brownback Turn to the Dark Side of the Force?, [...]