I think some here on Free Republic like him solely because of his stunt with the birth certificate. It’s a bad reason to like him as a presidential candidate when you consider all his other positions.
But now, America's in trouble. I can tell by my own feelings that the social is not going to be as important as the fiscal conservatism time around. For many (general voters), the social part will not be nearly as important as the fiscal part. They will seek a Tea party type candidate but only as long as the candidate knows business and economics. If the candidate says that they are neither pro or anti abortion, it's not going to matter this time around for the voter, IMO. If Donald Trump were a tea party type and constitutionalist who believes in government staying out of our lives...he may win.
The good news is, the President cannot change abortion laws and I do not see Trump as a pro-abortion activist so I don't see him using that as a requirement when choosing judges.
This is not the election year for a social conservative and if it is... the social part of our issues are more vulnerable in the Senate which is where we really should be focused.
What's more important to whether it Trump, Palin or whoever is that they can and will beat Obama. If we lose in 2012, social issues will be even less important by 2016.
What good is legal abortion if you don't even have enough money buy a hotel room under this President?