[NittanyLion]

Giuliani's position is secured because he is an American icon, and a Republican hero

Indeed. All politics aside, Giuliani secured his legacy in the weeks after 9/11. He certainly is a hero.

just as Arnold is.

Remind me again what Arnold's done to put himself on a par with Giuliani...

Would you honestly rather see Gary Bauer or something on stage before the nation instead of these two?

No. I'd rather see Bill Owens or Rick Santorum, to name two that quickly come to mind.

Is winning elections anywhere in your agenda? How do you expect to advance any part of your agenda if you don't first win the election?

Let me see if I understand this...showcasing an up-and-coming conservative at the convention and winning elections is mutually exclusive. Is that your stance?

[counterpunch]

Remind me again what Arnold's done to put himself on a par with Giuliani
Keep it in context. I said they are both American icons and Republican heroes. Would you argue that Arnold is an American icon? He was one far before Rudi ever became one. What about Republican hero? I'd say he is, as the man who single-handedly saved the California Republican party. Both men fit these descriptions, but for very different reasons.

No. I'd rather see Bill Owens or Rick Santorum, to name two that quickly come to mind. They are both great politicians and policy makers, but they're 100% inside baseball. The average viewer will tune in and keep watching for Arnold and Rudi. But they would keep flipping channels til they found a "reality TV" show if Owens or Santorum was speaking.

Let me see if I understand this...showcasing an up-and-coming conservative at the convention and winning elections is mutually exclusive. Is that your stance?
Yep, more or less. The convention is Prime Time. It's no time to be fielding the farm league. It's the one time before the election to really reach beyond the political arena and the usual audience of true believers.