[B Knotts]

Have you learned nothing this week? Giuliani cannot win, because apolitical social conservatives will stay home, just like they did Tuesday.

Here are the requirements for the 2008 nominee:

1. Fiscally conservative
2. Socially conservative
3. Good communicator

Some might argue that Newt fails on point three, but I think those people haven't been paying attention to Newt's improvement in that area in recent years.

Giuliani unquestionably fails on point two.

[Maneesh]

"Here are the requirements for the 2008 nominee:

Fiscally conservative
Socially conservative
Good communicator "

That is an excellent list. I would add to that
Minimum personal baggage and ability to connect with people.

On this issue Newt fails horribly and this is the factor that will get at least 10% of the votes required to win so he is a non starter. We have to stop thinking that the candidate has to satisfy us at FR only and expand our thinking to people who will never come to FR and are not ideologues but will vote for a non-offensive, non-polarizing & likeable person: Mitt Romney is very strong on this point.

[jalisco555]

You know what? Ideally I'd agree with you but I see no one out there who both fits your three categories and who is electable. Remember, they will throw everything they have at us in 2008. The Dems and their media allies will pull out all the stops. All Hillary has to do is hold Kerry's states and take Ohio, which is certainly well within reach. Our best chance is to take the battle to the Dem's territory, make them defend New York, New Jersey, Michigan and even California. Who else can do this, do you think?

BTW, as to the socially conservative category, just look at Newt's marital history to see where he really stands on that issue.

[SoCar]

Newt is a non starter. He should take himself out of the running immediately. It's not the personal baggage per se, but the claims of hypocrisy that will resonate and sink him. Plus he has zero charm or charisma.

Rudy or Romney are the best bets. I think fiscal conservatism and the WOT are much more important than social conservatism. All we need a candidate to do is commit to judges like Scalia, Roberts, Alito, and Thomas. You don't have to be a social conservative to want conservative judges and that's the whole ball of wax. In fact, strict doctrine of social conservatism IMHO is not a winner.