Politico.com reported earlier this week that GOP presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani had given money to Planned Parenthood.

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in his campaign appearances this year has stated that he personally abhors abortion, even though he supports keeping a legal right to choose. But records show that in the '90s he contributed money at least six times to Planned Parenthood, one of the country's leading abortion rights groups and its top provider of abortions.

Federal tax returns made public by the former New York mayor show that he and his then-wife, Donna Hanover, made personal donations to national, state and city chapters of Planned Parenthood totaling $900 in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999.

Giuliani then went on radio talk show host Laura Ingraham's show to try to contain the damage ... unsuccessfully.

On Ingraham's show, Giuliani forcefully defended his views on abortion, saying he has long been personally opposed to abortion but supports a woman's right to have one if she chooses.

Under grilling by Ingraham, Giuliani said his financial support for Planned Parenthood -- he gave about $900 in the mid-1990s -- was driven by a desire to increase adoptions in New York City. Planned Parenthood, one of the largest providers of reproductive services, including abortion, also counsels about adoption and parenting.

Giving money to Planned Parenthood in an effort to increase adoptions is like giving money to KFC to try to increase the number of chickens released from farms. If that was truly his goal, then Planned Parenthood probably wasn't the best place for his money. How 'bout Catholic Charities, Rudy?

A pro-choice candidate can get the GOP party nod if he can convince the base that he would appoint strict constructionist Supreme Court justices. Giuliani has tried to do this to some extent, but it's just getting to the point where he's has no credibility when speaking on the issue.

There are plenty of Americans who fall into the category of hating abortion personally, believing Roe v. Wade was an act of judicial diktat, preferring that abortion policy be determined by state legislatures and not the courts, and preferring for abortion to legal in some cases. In fact, I think that is exactly where Rudy would like to be. But he explains it so poorly that it's hard to believe him.

If the general election comes down to Giuliani vs. Clinton, then Giuliani will get the pro-life vote, albeit reluctantly and with reservations. But Giuliani's handling of the issue may very well mean that he won't get to that point.