GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani unleashed a rightwing firestorm when he told CNN's Dana Bash that he supports federal funding for abortions for poor women:

BASH: So you support taxpayer money or public funding for abortion in some cases?

GIULIANI: If it would deprive someone of a constitutional right, yes. I mean if that — if that's the status of the law then I would, yes. 

Giuliani's answer is the core of pro-choice philosophy on this question: if abortion is a constitutional right (as the Supreme Court declared in Roe v. Wade), then that right must be available to all women, regardless of income. So if Medicaid pays for certain medical services for poor women (including carrying a pregnancy to term), then Medicaid must pay for all medical services, including abortion.

Giuliani has always supported Medicaid funding for abortions, and speaks frequently at NARAL fundraisers. Here's what he said in 1997:

For 25 years, NARAL/NY has worked legislatively and electorally to protect women's access to safe and legal abortion and expand the full range of reproductive rights to all women, regardless of age, race or income. I congratulate NARAL/NY for taking the time to honor these outstanding four women and, on behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to thank each honoree for her strength, dedication, and courageous efforts to ensure that future generations of American women have the right to choose.

Does Giuliani really think he can win votes from the Christian Coalition wing of the Republican Party by saying he supports the Hyde Amendment (which prohibits Federal funds for abortions), when he supported state governments like New York making up for the prohibited federal funds?

Giuliani supports full abortion rights because he's a New York liberal on most issues except crime and race.

The racist wing of the Republican Party would have no problem supporting Giuliani - but the religious right? I just can't see it.