Giuliani defends
Planned Parenthood donations

Rudy Giuliani defended his long-standing support for abortion rights Tuesday after a report surfaced that the Republican donated to Planned Parenthood in the 1990s.

''Planned Parenthood makes information available,'' the former New York City mayor said on conservative commentator Laura Ingraham's radio show. ''It's consistent with my position.''

On abortion, Giuliani said: ''I disagree with it. I think it's wrong. I think there should be a choice. If there is going to be a choice, there are organizations that are going to give people information about that choice. I just as strongly support the idea that a woman should have information about adoption at that time.''

The Politico reported that Giuliani and his then-wife, Donna Hanover, made six contributions totaling $900 to the group that supports abortion rights, according to federal tax returns that the couple filed jointly and that have been public for years.

As he seeks to court conservatives, Giuliani has been dogged by his support for abortion rights. Last week, Giuliani was the only Republican among 10 during a debate who waffled when asked whether it would be a good day if the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion.

''It would be OK,'' Giuliani said. ''It would be OK to repeal it. It would be OK also if a strict constructionist viewed it as precedent.'' (AP)