Its early and we have a long way to go. FR`s rightwing base is reflecting early conservative opinion about the candidates. Give the system a chance to work. Let the messages get out. Maybe it won't be Gingrich, Hunter or Tancredo who conservatives back in the end. But it definitely won't be Rudy Giuliani.
Speak for yourself. JimRob ended up endorsing Ah-Nold over McClintock, and that decision certainly wasn't because JimRob thought that Ah-Nold was the more conservative candidate.
There's no point in backing someone who (a) isn't interested or (b) has no realistic chance to win. I agree with you that it is TOO EARLY to come to any firm conclusions about the 2008 nominee. However, anyone who really wants the nomination needs to get in the process NOW or it will be too late. Talk of Fred Thompson or Jeb Bush is a waste of time; they aren't interested.
The Republican Party does not nominate unknowns. I think the deck is stacked against people like Duncan Hunter who are trying to come out of the House with no national profile and not even a leadership position in the House. Same with Tancredo.
It is likely to be one of the top four now. In that group, I think Gingrich has too much baggage; McCain is distrusted and disliked by his fellow Republican pols and by the voters; and Rudy is clearly a stronger candidate than Romney.
It's too early to come to any firm conclusions, but at this point I'd have to say Rudy has the best chance no matter how many times those that dislike him here post articles from the 1990's on the guy.