[chiller]

While George Allen is my current favorite, I agree with the author. Rudy could be the one. In fact, he would be easily elected if we don't worry about his liberal tendencies. And that's a decision we'll have to make because we haven't got the perfect candidate.

Flame away

[JmyBryan]

I'm basically a single issue - War on Terror - voter. I wouldn't hesitate to vote for Giuliani.

[jla]

He did it with steadfast support for the Bush war doctrine, coupled with a passion for tight borders that even the still-admired incumbent cannot muster. He did it with strong fiscal conservatism, another Bush weakness. And he did it with a passionate pitch for school choice, an issue Republicans have neglected - mysteriously, since scads of Republicans and Democrats want it.

In other words, Giuliani told the audience what they wanted to hear, not what he really believed.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I suppose I could live with it. I'd chose Allen first, too, but Rudy would be good on the WOT. His stance on abortion and gay pride irk me, but in reality, those two issues are things that a President can't really do much about, as they are and should remain, States issues.

Who knows? I didn't know much about President Bush pre-2000 and there certainly isn't another Ronald Reagan coming over the hill that I can see.

No Republican is every conservative enough for me, so there would be no pleasing me 100% anyway. And I'll NEVER vote for a Dimowit. Ever. So that's a non-issue. ;)

[Ouderkirk]

I would have no problem with Rudy if there was a solid party discipline on HOR and Senate. Rudy can talk about gun control and gay whatever, just can't get it past the congress. What I would have a problem with would be his judicial nominations. That is the wild card that I'm just not willing to chance on a Rudy as President.

[diggerwillow]

War on Terror, Immigration, Fair Tax, Presidential.

Rudy will be there in the end.

[MBB1984]

No flame, personally, I like Rudy, but I can't vote for Rudy. According to the article, Rudy won't push for gay marriage, won't push for gun control, and won't push for affirmative action.

If the BEST the Republican Party can do is nominate someone who won't actively push for liberal/leftist ideas, then I must vote third party. I want to vote for someone who will actively push AGAINST gun control, affirmative action and gay marriage. As far as I am concerned, if a candidate will not actively push the conservative agenda he is a part of the problem in America. A vote for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil.

[longtermmemmory]

Rudy is a non starter. Too NY for the USA.
McCain is Hitlary lite.

[GaltMeister]

I like Allen as well, I think he is the best candidate out there. How 'bout the best of both worlds, run Allen and Rudy on the same ticket? Rudy would be great for Cheney's office, IMO.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

If the RNC jams Rudy, McCain or Romney down my throat, I will write in somebody for POTUSA.

[noname07718]

Rudy is my hero for 9/11 of course. BUT he is my hero for how he had Yassar Aarafat escorted back to the residence he was staying at during his UN visit many years ago. When he said that “Terrorists” are no allowed ot walk the streets in his city, he was way ahead of the curve. THAT’s the reason he is my hero.

[aculeus]

No flame here.

The perfect candidate does not exist.

Rudy can win and would make a great terror-fighting President.

[trickyricky]

In fact, he would be easily elected if we don't worry about his liberal tendencies.

What are you smoking?

That's the very thing that will keep him from EVER being elected president.

The ONLY reason Bush is president is because he conned the conservatives into
believing he was one of them.

[Alberta's Child]

Any slim chance Rudy had in 2008 took another big hit last week when Bernie Kerik -- Rudy's former police commissioner and the guy Rudy himself recommended to the White House to head the Department of Homeland Security -- was publicly exposed as the corrupt SOB many of us already knew he was.

[PzLdr]

If the author believes Rudy Guiliani will let anybody run anything, he's crazy. Rudy is the poster boy for anal compulsive.

As Mayor, he got rid of subordinates who got too much favorable ink. He took credit for other people's accomplishments. As U.S Attorney, he grandstanded on Wall Street arrests [loved perp walks], and delivered few convictions. The job he did on 9/11 saved his career and reputation. He IS anti gun,pro gay and pro abortion. That means he won't use the bully pulpit to protect your 2d Amendment rights, the sanctity of marriage, nor the lives of the unborn. That may result, aside from giving the Federal Courts even MORE power over our lives and society, the conundrum of open season on the unborn in the blue states, while they're protected in the red states - until the inevitable lawsuits start. You think Rudy's gonna pick conservative judges? On crime, sure. On everything else, dream on.

Rudy for Pres. Be careful what you wish for.

[PzLdr]

If the author believes Rudy Guiliani will let anybody run anything, he's crazy. Rudy is the posterboy for anal compulsive.

As Mayor, he got rid of subordinates who got too much favorable ink. He took credit for other people's accomplishments. As U.S Attorney, he grandstanded on Wall Street arrests [loved perp walks], and delivered few convicitions. The job he did on 9/11 saved his career and reputation. He IS anti gun,pro gay and pro abortion. That means he won't use the bully pulpit to protect your 2d Amendment rights, the sanctity of marriage, nor the lives of the unborn. That may result, aside from giving the Federal Courts even MORE power over our lives and society, the conundrum of open season on the unborn in the blue states, while they're protected in the red states - until the inevitable lawsuits start. You think Rudy's gonna pick conservative judges? On crime, sure. On everything else, dream on.

Rudy for Prez? Be careful what you wish for.

[gondramB]

>>Giuliani's Convictions Could Win Over Republicans <<

Has he been convicted of something?

[SmoothTalker]

He is pro-gay, pro gun control and anti-life. I don't want him.

[Blackirish]

Allen ain't ready for prime time. He's been embarrassingly inarticulate on his recent Sunday appearances. Also has have a lousy record to run on....he has been a fiscal liberal since becoming a senator and has been a promoter of a "virtual fence" on the border. Please not another inarticulate big spender.

Guliani on the other hand can actually articulate the positives of a smaller government....combined with his get tough on borders....vouchers...WOT.

If you think he's riding high in the polls now wait till he really starts running.

[Sabramerican]

Do you believe the President?

I saw a snippet this morning of his interview with Larry King (a snippent is all I can take of King). He said the "War on Terror" is the defining issue of our time.

I agree with the author, in fact I have written it here long before him, Giuliani will be status quo on guns and appoint Justices like Alieto and Roberts.

I will add that unlike his role as Mayor which required ignoring illegals, this law and order fanatic will be the toughest on illegal immigration.

But if the President is right, and he is, that the defining issue of the day, and decade to come, is what falls under the umbrella of terrorism, is there anyone who can shine Giuliani's shoes in that endeavor. And that endeavor doesn't just include the fight against the enemy. It included the fight against our "friends" in the EU, UN, elsewhere.

[You Dirty Rats]

Rudy is IMHO the strongest candidate the Republicans could nominate.

If I was a Republican Congressman or Senator in a non-safe seat, Rudy at the top of the ticket would be what I would want to see.

I prefer Rudy to McCain, and I don't see any other Republicans out there with enough name recognition and fund-raising ability to win the nomination and the general election. The conservative names bandied about are all, nationally, lightweights.