About Rod D. Martin
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Politics & Economics
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Faith & Cultureby Rod D. Martin
April 4, 2007
In his CNN interview today, Giuliani dropped the bomb: not only does he see abortions as a constitutional right, he believes that if “anyone” is “deprived” of one for lack of money, the taxpayers must pick up the tab.
This makes Giuliani the most pro-abortion candidate in the race by far. Not just on the Republican side: in the whole race. His adamant support of partial-birth abortion (which even the pro-abortion AMA has called “barbaric” and “never medically necessary”) rounds out his truly as-far-out-there-as-it-gets record.
It is hard to see how “America’s Mayor” can square this with pro-life conservatives, who up to now haven’t had to pay much attention to Giuliani’s position on, well, anything. Most evangelicals came into the movement because of abortion more than any other issue; this announcement is about as in-your-face as it gets, and opens all manner of opportunities for his Republican foes.
But it opens up a really interesting can of worms for the Democrats. Does Hillary “Trust me, I’m a moderate” Clinton really want to be boxed into active support of taxpayer-funded abortions? Does Obama? Everyone knows they believe in this, but do they want to make it an actual plank in their platforms? Rudy’s statement begs the question: some reporter is going to have to ask them, and their radical nutroots base is going to demand what passes for “purity” in those climes.
If Hillary says she’s for this, the “moderate” spin is gone. If she says she’s against it, between this and the war she puts herself in Joe Lieberman’s shoes, without any possibility of his comeback as an Independent. An opportunistic Obama could easily walk off with her base. He’d be crazy not to, regardless of the size of the gamble.
But it would be a heck of a gamble indeed, because to pay off, it would virtually require that Giuliani wins the GOP nod. If virtually anyone but Rudy is the Republican nominee, the Christian Right will turn out next November like never before. They cannot accept taxpayer-funded abortions: not a chance. And given a clear choice of this magnitude, 2008 would quickly turn into 1984: a tsunami.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.