But ... but ... you have to be willing to compromise! It doesn't matter if what you're compromising comprises the core of the ideology. As long as you get someone elected who has an "R" behind his name. He could be Chuck Hagel. Or John McCain. Heck, he could be Hillary Clinton if she'd change her party affiliation.
The only thing that's important about Rudy Giuiliani isn't any of those pesky "principles." It's the fact that he is a Republican.
"But ... but ... you have to be willing to compromise! It doesn't matter if what you're compromising comprises the core of the ideology. As long as you get someone elected who has an "R" behind his name. He could be Chuck Hagel. Or John McCain. Heck, he could be Hillary Clinton if she'd change her party affiliation."
Hillary Clinton is precisely what you will get if you don't compromise. And watch her appoint some of the most liberal judges in the country to the Supreme Court instead of the moderately conservative to conservative judges Rudy will likely appoint.
Honestly, if people such as yourself on this board stand by their current position and vote for someone like Duncan Hunter in the primaries, you will be doing Rudy a favor because he will get the moderate Republican votes.
Absolutely, no politician bats 100% conservative - least of all George Bush. As I said, my personal preference is Tancredo but it's only fair to see a candidate in the context of his entire record. One thing we can all agree on - Rudy has physical courage under fire (literally!) and political courage as well.