Claims he can overcome GOP objection to pro-abortion stance
He’s out of step with most Republicans on the issue of abortion but pro-abortion New York Gov. George Pataki said on Monday he would make a decision about whether he will run for president in 2008 “in the next few weeks.” In comments on the
CNN television program “Situation Room,” Pataki claimed he could overcome objection to his pro-abortion stance that prevent previous GOP presidential candidates like Arlen Specter and Pete Wilson from gaining any traction.
Source: Steven Ertelt in LifeNews.com
Dec 5, 2006
Favors abortion rights
Pataki faces major hurdles in Iowa and elsewhere. He is leaving office with less-than-stellar poll numbers and his successor is almost certain to be a Democrat -- not exactly the ideal springboard for a national campaign. Pataki also favors abortion
rights, a major strike against him with the social conservatives who traditionally play an outsized role in the Iowa caucuses. Still, The Fix believes that hard work in politics often pays off. And Pataki is working Iowa as hard as anyone at the moment.
Source: Chris Cillizza opinion in Washington Post
Jun 15, 2006
Vetoes non-prescription morning-after pill
New York’s Gov. George Pataki confirms he will veto a bill that would make the so-called “morning-after” pill available without a prescription. Abortion-rights advocates in the state are hoping to pressure him into signing the legislation.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney recently vetoed similar legislation; both men are eyeing possible presidential runs in 2008.
Source: Margot Adler on NPR’s All Things Considered
Aug 1, 2005
Supports banning partial birth abortions
As Governor of New York...
Pataki slashed family planning funding in both of his proposed executive state budgets.
Pataki said he will sign a parental notification bill.
In the spring of 1996, Pataki said he would sign a law
making it a Class E felony for doctors to perform certain abortions (called “partial birth abortions”), even if the bill provided no exceptions to avert serious health damage to the woman. This is identical to the law that Pres. Clinton vetoed.
Source: ChoiceMatters.com 2006 report on voting record
May 2, 1996
Voted in NY legislature to cut off Medicaid abortion funding
As a 10-term New York State legislator...
Pataki voted to cut off Medicaid funding of abortion ten times; that is, every year that he served in the state legislature, from 1985 through 1994, his most recent vote was June 6, 1994.
Pataki always supported mandatory parental involvement before a minor can have an abortion.
Pataki opposed the Health Care Facilities Access Bill, which would increase penalties for intentionally blocking medical facilities.
Pataki first described himself as “pro-choice” in February 1990, when he chaired the NYS Republican Party’s platform committee. He admitted that he wanted to keep an anti-abortion plank out of the platform in order to keep women’s votes from going to
pro-choice Gov. Cuomo.
In March 1990, Pataki accepted the religious-right group New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms’ “Life Saver” award for refusing to vote “yes” on the state budget if it contained money for abortions.
Source: ChoiceMatters.com 2006 report on voting record
Jun 6, 1994
Supported by right-to-life groups in 1990s elections
As a 10-term New York State legislator...
On May 11, 1990, Pataki was praised on a fundamentalist religious radio program on WHUD-WLNA for reaffirming that he is “pro-life” (against abortion rights).
In its 1992 voter guide, Westchester
RTL (Right to Life) PAC stated, “George Pataki claims to be pro-choice. He has a pro-life voting record. Still favors Parental Notification and is opposed to Medicaid funding.” RTL reported that Pataki sought its “behind the scenes help” in the
1992 campaign at the same time he campaigned as pro-choice in the Republican primary and in the general election, in which both opponents were truly pro-choice.
In 1993, Pataki was the only Republican state senator to receive a 100% rating from the
NYS Christian Coalition. He received an award for a 100% rating on his voting record from New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms. These two organizations are on the front lines of the anti-choice movement in New York State.
Source: ChoiceMatters.com 2006 report on voting record
May 11, 1990
