Giuliani Reaffirms His Position for Abortion Rights

Speaking to an audience of students and faculty members at Houston Baptist University today, Republican Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani tried to clear the air about his position on abortion rights.

Making a very liberal speech to a conservative audience, Giuliani said he favors abortion rights, certain restrictions on gun ownership and gay rights.

Giuliani was very criticized about his halting and apparently contradictory responses to questions about his views on abortion rights during the first debate among Republican Presidential candidates last week.

"This is a matter of deep and profound judgment," he said. "It's a matter of morals. It's a matter of your interpretation of how laws should operate, your interpretation of how respect for the rights of others should operate. But in a country like ours ... I believe you have to respect their viewpoint and give them a level of choice. I would grant women the right to make that choice."

Giuliani has been successful in his campaign visits to Texas so far. He appeared relaxed during the speech and spoke from note cards instead of a prepared speech.

Giuliani's aides said that a recent polling found a relatively small number of voters who would base their vote solely on abortion.

Several students praised Giuliani's speech, but said it was unlikely to make them support his candidacy, they were likely to support a more conservative GOP cadidate.