In 2008, the base will be especially important because there will be a serious primary race on the Democrats side, so few of them will be tempted to cross over and muddy the waters. Pro-Choicer Giuliani is not capable of exciting the base because of his domestic liberalism (pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, who're we kidding?) McCain comes across to the base as a cranky self-centered show-boater who can't play Team Ball. While some of his views are Republican conservative, he operates like a Democrat Senator, and it is not fragrant to the base.
A lot of peole might be comfortable with Giulian at DoD or SecState or even as Veep, but top of the ticket is not in the cards for Rudy.
I agree 100%.
So...that said....who's it going to be for the GOP in 2008?