It looks like the Free Republic "Rudy Wars" will make previous flame wars look like a Girl Scout campfire.
Mr. Reagan Man was challenged to name a conservative candidate he supports for 2008 and he claims it is too early. LOL!! It's apparently not too early to attack a candidate he claims has no chance.
It IS too early to say with any confidence what will happen, but the nomination in all probability will be decided by March 2008 due to the large number of early primaries.
That means candidates need 2007 to set up their campaigns, raise money, get volunteers, and get known. In other words, if they don't get in within two or three months, they are out.
Unless something changes within the next 2-3 months it looks like the early favorites are Rudy and John. Understandably there are conservatives here and elsewhere that do not like this unpleasant truth. The answer is to get another candidate VERY SOON or else accept the likelihood that we're not going to get a candidate as conservative as RWR elected in 2008.
IMHO the odds of having a President elected that is even as conservative as GWB are at least 3-1 against. There aren't any strong candidates now that fit that criterion, and in 2008 the electorate is likely to be wary of another conservative for many of the same reasons that hurt us in 2006.
If we could find another RWR out there I'd support him. I don't see any. I honestly believe Rudy is our best chance, even though he is not a conservative.
My own view is that influential conservative leaders should offer support in exchange for an understanding that Rudy would appoint more Justices like Alito and Roberts. Having Rudy at the top of the ticket will help most Republican candidates downticket.
Of course, we cannot be sure Rudy would honor such a bargain -- but I would trust his word more than McCain's.
Especially since someone who has been married twice is out. People who are not Christians are out. People who were Democrat in their youth and changed to Republican are out. People who have homosexual children are out.
Clearly even Reagan would have been vetoed by some here.
Just because you've made up your mind, doesn't mean the rest of us are as irrationally implusive as you are. If you keep track of my posts, one day you'll find out who I'll be supporting in 2008. It won't be some NYCity liberal named, Rudy Giulinai. Bank on it!