You're right that Rudy is pro-choice, and you're right that he has a failed marriage. But patriciaruth, I hope TO GOD you're wrong that he's a non-starter in Republican Presidential politics.
He believes in God and he believes in our country - and he WILL NOT be pushed around on the world or national stage. He can beat Hillary easily - so if the alternative is another Clinton presidency, Rudy's my guy.
And Rudy's not a poll-watcher, either. I remember when he first became Mayor of New York, one of his first actions was to REFUSE to meet with the Reverend Al and his posse after a supposed "racial incident" at a mosque, because, obviously, they had absolutely no standing - and he wasn't afraid to say so. It was then that I knew we had a man of character, who would stick to his guns in the face of the hysterical liberal media.
Of course, you could argue that my priorities reflect my background, and I would accept that, but I am so afraid of this party splitting over this issue....
Can you name me a viable candidate in the "George W. Bush" mold? Not with the name-recognition and credentials of Rudy, I'm afraid. I think, IMHO, that it takes a Rudy to beat a Hillary.
Can he win the primaries if the pro-life and family values half of the party vote for someone else?
Can he win the general election if the pro-life and family values half of the party stays home?
I am asking this seriously, not rhetorically.
If Rudi convincingly moderated his positions on abortion and pro-life, he might stand a chance at the nomination.
Rudy may lose 2-5% of the far right vote because of this, but he will pick up huge numbers in the center and slightly left. He has a lot of respect from moderate democrats who have seen what he did with NYC, choosing between him and Hillary I think he will pull a lot of them with him from the left, far more than we will lose from the right.
Not marriage, but MARRIAGES. Rudy is now on wife #3.
1. Cheney
2. Allen
3. ugh
4. ugh