[John Robertson]

"Three things the country will demand in 2008 are competence, an anti corruption prosecutor type and someone they trust to fight the war to a winning conclusion. If Republicans believe social issues will be at the fore in 2008, they are political suicidal."

All due respect, Sab:

Competetence, anti-corruption (just wait till New Orleans shakes out further) and trust to fight the war to a winning conclusion...ARE social issues, in my opinion, in that our quality of life derives very much from how powerfully those three areas are dealth with.

My opinion. I also believe, for the conservatives who say they won't support Rudy because he's not conservative enough on some issues, that we will see two dynamics advance in the coming months:

1. Rudy will modify stances on abortion, guns and gay marriage, moving rightward (not far enough for a lot of people here, myself included, but rightward just the same).

2. The conservatives who say he hasn't moved rightward enough will mostly support him just the same, as they will see that the alternative is: Hilary.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"Rudy will modify stances on abortion, guns and gay marriage, moving rightward (not far enough for a lot of people here, myself included, but rightward just the same)."

The days of switch-hitting on issues, I think, are over. The New Media makes that very, very difficult. Don't forget the flipflop campaign against Kerry.

[F16Fighter]

"1. Rudy will modify stances on abortion, guns and gay marriage, moving rightward (not far enough for a lot of people here, myself included, but rightward just the same)."

Then he'd better be unequivocal about it and mean it (actual promises might do.)

[Alberta's Child]

Rudy Giuliani ain't running in 2008, since he would be unelectable on a national level even if he wholeheartedly supported every single plank of the GOP platform.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

If we can get SCOUS fixed the social issues will have a lot less meaning.

Giuliani is way down my list of people that I would vote for although he is ahead of McCain.

The Second Amendment issue is very important, he is going to have to move very far on that before he has a shot in the primaries.

Another thing to consider is crossover votes. In the last few elections the GOP has pulled democrat voters because of, not in spite of, the gun and social issues. If we run a candidate that is just like the democrats on these issues then what incentive do they have for voting GOP?

[LWalk18]

I think it is a big mistake to run someone solely out of fear of Hillary. First of all, I truly don't believe that she is as popular as many on this site believe, not to mention those who openly despise the woman. I believe the latter group is more passionate and organized than those who are Hillary fans. Second of all, if we run someone to the left, then liberals will have already won a small victory even if she ultimately loses.

[Political Junkie Too]

Do you think a Giuliani candidacy would be more palatable with a certifiably conservative Supreme Court to balance a moderate/liberal Executive? If so, then it is even more imperative that we keep control of Congress in 2006 to keep the balance of separated powers in our favor.

-PJ