[MadIvan]

We have been presented a number of gifts - Hillary shot herself with her statement about Iraq, Rudy is popular. The situation could be slowly turning in our favour...if certain people would remove their cranium from their rectal orifice.

The "purists" can offer Rudy support in exchange for not touching the 2nd Amendment, for example. Then he would owe them for their support. If he wins, under these present circumstances, he owes them nothing. It's neither clear nor clever strategic thinking.

Regards, Ivan

[IslandJeff]

From your keyboard to God's ears.

[nopardons]

Yes, exactly, but try explaining that to them, along with the fact that some of their chosen people aren't running ( Tony Snow, of all people, Condi Rice, Rush Limbaugh, and Newt, to name but a few ), nor can they "draft" a candidate.

Then, there are the announced candidates who they soon over, but haves NO chance, not a one, of lasting through next February; if that.

And finally, the group that is pining for some great white hope to come out of the blue and save them and the GOP, but can never come up with a name to attach to that fairy tale, are beyond delusional!

Politics has changed here, whether we like it or not. It not only takes mind boggling amounts of money to even launch a so so campaign, but because so many primaries are now front loaded, if someone isn't off and running and hitting the hustings right now, they will never be able to catch up.