[neverdem]

“People are concerned about really basic, big issues — issues of war and peace, literally. The days of the tail wagging the dog on social issues are over. It’s not that people don’t care about them, it’s just that they have a new take on prioritizing.”

Anyone making that statement when talking about gun control and war and peace is disingenuous at best or incredibly naive. It also ignores the aftermath of Katrina. I thought the article was more interesting for what it said about McCain.

[Clump]

He really should have run against Hillary for the Senate this year. He probably would have derailed her career permanently. Also, we could have all rallied around him in that effort. We will not get a better candidate from NY ever again I am sure.

But POTUS is a very different thing. Social issues carry the day in GOP primaries, and Rudy strikes out in nearly every category. He will not and can not win the GOP nomination. Why the MSM cannot get this I will never know.

OTOH, if he did (for some odd reason) win the primaries, we would be looking at our worst set of 2 party candidates since Carter-Ford in 1976. I would have to puke before and after voting.

[1-Eagle]

I. I think he is pro-abortion, but thats a wash because so is Hillary.

II. I think he's still "single again" which is a negative, but he is running against "Billary."

III. Come to think of it.. a dog catcher with no government experience at all could make a serious run against Hillary. Thats how much loathing and distrust there is for her and her idiot husband. Stupid x2 is not a good 'twofer.'

[Ancesthntr]

Rudy will fall apart in the South on abortion and gun control. I, for one, catagorically refuse to vote for anyone who has or will take away people's guns (other than convicted felons, terrorists, etc.)...at least in the primary. I suppose if it was a choice between Rudy and She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Mentioned, Rudy'll get my extremely reluctant vote. But you can be damned sure that I'll do everything I can to make sure that we don't have such a horrible choice.

IMHO, Rudy would be a good Homeland Security head, possibly a good Secretary of State (although he has about zero experience there, sometimes the experience brings a handicap with it), but that's about all.

[TommyDale]

"Can Giuliani Win the Southern GOP?"

No! Southern and Midwestern conservatives will not vote for the candidates who stand against them on the issues:

Abortion
Partial Birth Abortion
Higher Taxes
Gun Control and/or Confiscation
Religious issues
Homosexual Agenda
School Vouchers
Illegal Invaders and/or Immigrants Amnesty

[SWAMPSNIPER]

"Anyone making that statement when talking about gun control and war and peace is disingenuous at best or incredibly naive".

---

Some folks think they just need to make a wish, and we will go away. They keep praying I will trade my legacy of freedom for their brand of security. Why won't Rudy stay in New York, and work to restore full freedom there? That would impress me!
How about it, Rudy fans, are you really, truly, Republicans, or, just another flavor of democrap?

---

The prospect of tyranny may not grab the headlines the way vivid stories of gun crime routinely do. But few saw the Third Reich coming until it was too late. The Second Amendment is a doomsday provision, one designed for those exceptionally rare circumstances where all other rights have failed—where the government refuses to stand for reelection and silences those who protest; where courts have lost the courage to oppose, or can find no one to enforce their decrees. However improbable these contingencies may seem today, facing them unprepared is a mistake a free people get to make only once.
JUDGE ALEX KOZINSKI

[Rome2000]

McInsane won't go to Bob Jones University like Giuliani will.

McInsane gets no southern wins.

[Tanniker Smith]

Yes, he can win. He justs needs to use this slogan:

I'M NOT MCCAIN!!

[SmoothTalker]

I don't think he can win the south and pray that I am right. He is pro-gay, anti-gun, and anti-life. I want nothing to do with him and will either vote third party or stay home if he is the nominee. I know he might be the lesser of two evils but at some point the lesser of two evils is still too objectionable to support.

[upchuck]

Rudy Giuliani could not have picked a better time to come to South Carolina.

Rudy can stay the he11 outta South Carolina. Take his liberal, "I love queers, I love abortion," social agenda and STAY OUT!

South Carolina Ping

Add me to the list. / Remove me from the list.

PS to Rudy: And take Pandsey Graham with you!

[aomagrat]

I'll not vote for him, even if the other choice is hillary.

[JFC]

Speaking for Texas.... Yes he could win!

[BunnySlippers]

Bump

[Uncle Hal]

If Rudy gets the GOP nomination, I fear a third party candidate from the right. Possibly McCain. This would splinter the vote and possibly allow Hillary to slip in. Heaven forbid.

[GregH]

Giuliani has to tone down his liberal social views, it is very difficult to see him elected if he does not do so, what may be appreciated in New york cocktail parties would be the same in the South/Mid west. But he is much better than Mccain who is a RINO and does not even care about the Republican party.

[durasell]

Durasell's First rule of policts -- you never have a chance with people who can't spell your name correctly.

[Democratshavenobrains]

The legislatures are the only places where elected officials can really influence gay marriage. Its not like a President could force it on the whole nation by himself.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

The key to a winning GOP presidential candidate in a normal year is to find a candidate that appeals to both of the major wings of the party (social & fiscal) while not being viewed as threatening to the moderate/RINO wing.

That's how Bush got the nomination, and got elected. And, in spite of several major disappointments, it is how he's governed. Tax cuts/Mexican amnesty for the fiscals, SC judges for the socials and "compassionate" big government conservatism for the mushy middle.

Now, take a look at the supposed GOP candidates for '08:

Rudy & McCrazy - non-starters for the socials, for obvious reasons.

Romney - Representing the bluest state in the union, coupled with a Morman background, likely will be too much to overcome.

Newt - Interesting because, when it comes to ideas, he is easily the best of the bunch. However, his stint as Speaker showed having ideas and governing them are two different things. Newt was a poor leader once in power (see Breach of Trust by Tom Coburn). Plus, his personal life is about on a par with Rudy's.

With one exception, the rest of the bunch have virtually zero name recognition and even less money, making them non-starters as well.

That one exception is U.S. Senator (and former governor) George Allen of Virginia. He meets all three criteria for a winning GOP candidate, which is why the 'Rats (via Webb) and the Washington Compost (via the "macaca" nonsense) are trying so hard to trip him up before he gets positioned for the '08 primaries.

For those on the thread who would scream "War on Terror!" as reason for supporting Giuliani and/or McCain, lets stipulate that no GOP candidate is going to get the nomination unless they strongly support the WOT - none. Therefore, there is no absolutely reason to accept the RINO baggage of either Rudy or McCain - all that will do is ensure one of the major wings stays home, and Hillary strolls back to 1600 Pennsylvania.

You want to keep Hillary out? Nominate a conservative who is acceptable to each wing of the GOP. Otherwise, it is a third party situation just waiting to happen, with president HRC waiting in the wings.

The best news would be for Cheney to have a change of heart and accept the nomination for '08 - I believe he would walk over Hillary, especially once they get to debate. The next best news would be for a true conservative not currently on the radar screen to come out of the blue.

Considering the unlikeliness of either option, I believe Allen will be the best choice for conservatives in '08 - unless the left can destroy him before he gets there.

[stainlessbanner]

Dixie Ping

[therut]

NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

[Luke21]

Giuliani, McCain, Romney...Was none of the above in SC too?