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We've got a little problem here. All of the candidates running with a realistic chance of gaining the nomination are disparaged as RINO's on FR. The candidates who are not RINO's have incredible odds against them. At Intrade , the percent probability of winning the GOP nomination is traded in a market. The market doesn't believe anyone but a RINO has a chance (Disagree with the market? Pony up and make a fortune).

So, those who wish to discuss the relative merits of candidates who actually have a chance are to be pilloried here with some concocted epithet, so you can be free to discuss the relative merits of candidates of the candidates with odds of 200-1 and 1000-1 respectively?

I've figured that at FR we generally agree with Patrick Henry that we don't ...acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot. I thought that the best way for us to defeat the Dems/Libs was to deal with political reality, even if reality was unpalatable and unpleasant.

Here's a compromise. If you want to freep without having to see realistic candidates discussed, maybe FR can set up a special board (like the Smokey Backroom) called Freeputopia where only rah rah posts are allowed about 100% conservative candidates. Would that work for you?

The election is TWENTY months away, the first primary is TEN months away, let's look at a list of other "front runners" prior to the primaries:

1976 Democrat - Mo Udall and Scoop Jackson
1980 Republican - George HW Bush and Jack Anderson
1984 Democrat - Gary Hart
1988 Democrat - Gary Hart
1992 Democrat - Paul Tsongas

Guess what? NONE OF THEM WERE NOMINATED.

"So, those who wish to discuss the relative merits of candidates who actually have a chance are to be pilloried here with some concocted epithet..."

Well, gee, I guess we can just conclude that conservatives have no dog in this fight and leave the '08 election to the liberals of both major parties to decide. Isn't that exactly what you all are hoping? That conservatives will just stay home?

Priceless.

All of the candidates running with a realistic chance of gaining the nomination are disparaged as RINO's on FR.

Not all RINOs are created equal. McCain is just plain evil with his overt and deliberate flouting of the First Amendment. Of the other two front runners, Romney seems better than Giuliani. I'm not wild about him, but he does seem to have some sense of fiscal conservatism, and he's at least trying to court the conservative vote. Rudy seems to think it should be his by default.

I thought that the best way for us to defeat the Dems/Libs was to deal with political reality, even if reality was unpalatable and unpleasant.

I thought the best way to defeat the Liberals was not to elect one. From either party. Why is that reality so unpalatable? Guiliani is a Liberal. He fails the test on the Border/illegal immigration, on abortion, the RKBA, etc.

His past positions on the issues are only at odds with Hillary on the WOT. WHile that is certainly an important issue, I am sure we can find another candidate who can fulfil the conservative agenda better.

His performance in New York City was obtained in a situation where he could decree it and it was done. The Federal Government does not work that way, nor is the POTUS supposed to have dictatorial powers.

That gives me reason to doubt his effectiveness as POTUS should he be elected, except on those issues where the Democrats' agenda and he are aligned, and those, frankly are the issues I do not want progress to be made on in that way.