The other thing about Rudy that people haven't mentioned much is his effect on the Italian vote and the Catholic vote. These are two pretty big and important constiutincies, particularly in blue states that have a lot of electoral votes like NY, NJ, CT, MI, WI, PA and CA.
If he can win them decisively, and there's A LOT of Italians who would love to have the first Italian President, that would help him greatly.
I don't know if the Catholic thing is that big of a deal as it didn't help Kerry that much, but he did win ALL of the states with the big Catholic populations that I mentioned above. If Rudy can win even 2 or 3 of those states, and hold the red states, even lose 1 or 2(OH and MO are going to be very tough in 08), he'll be ok.
The plain truth right now is that 2 years out there is no real conservative candidate that's viable. Duncan Hunter? Maybe, but it's way too early for him at this point. Jeb Bush isn't running(and would have no shot if he did). Newt has even less of a shot than Jeb. Brownback has less of a shot than Newt. Santorum is a pipe dream. He was a 2 term Senator and got blown out against a state auditor who himslef got drubbed 4 years prior in the Governor's race and people think he's a viable national candidate?
At this point, it's between McCain, Rudy and Romney. Those are the big 3 until a solid conservative enters the fray.
I think Rudy's strategy would be to perhaps steal NH or IA. At least be respectable in the South, and then clean up and bring it home in the big states like NY, PA, CA, FL, MI, IL, etc...
I also think that before the primaries start we will see W throw his support behind someone and that could end up being big.
I'm a Catholic and I know many Catholics who will vote for Rudy if he runs. They know a good leader when they see it. And they all voted for Reagan and Bush.
Dear jeltz25,
"The other thing about Rudy that people haven't mentioned much is his effect on the Italian vote and the Catholic vote."
All my grandparents were born in Italy. My father's first language was Sicilian. I'm a devout Catholic.
I wouldn't vote for Mr. Giuliani under any circumstances, unless he publicly repented of his immoral crimes against humanity for supporting abortion on demand and the homosexual agenda, tearing his clothes and covering himself in sackcloth in ashes, publicly proclaiming his repentance down Broadway in New York City.
sitetest