I have mixed feelings about Rudy for POTUS.
Like the man, but he's really not conservative enough for me.
But he has appeal to the 'Pubbies for a whole host of reasons, and most of them make sense...
1. Rudy is the Republican party's 'nuclear' option....in that, I cannot envision a scenario whereby the Democrats win the presidency if they do not carry the State of NY. Did you want to see Hillary! vs Rudy for the NY Senate race? You may get to see it on a much bigger stage.
2. While Rudy has liberal social leanings, the answer to this problem is to elect conservatives locally for the house and senate, and partner Rudy with a social conservative...say like George Allen or Rick Santorum (but Santorum's recent abysmal showing in PA makes me wonder about this option).
3. There is no denying Rudy's 'national' appeal as a leader and as much as I hate to say this...one more terrorist attack on US soil and Rudy's ticket is 'punched' as Americans look for someone with a reputation for leading in a time of crisis.
4. Much like the Democrats won the recent election by running 'conservative' candidates, you cannot help but wonder if the Republicans believe that the winning strategy (rightly or wrongly, I don't know) might be running a more 'liberal' Republican to blur the lines...in the name of 'bipartisanship'.
I could see it...easily.
The next president must be tough enough to win. Guiliani is the only one on the horizon I see with the necesary toughness.