{A Giuliani nomination would also generate a conservative third-party candidate in the general election and tear the GOP apart}
I doubt if a 3rd party would hand Obama the keys to the White House. If Giuliani is the GOP nominee, conservatvies must setup a conservative 3rd party to aid GOP Congressional candidates. The type of voters that Giuliani attracts are left-leaning independents who will vote for Rudy and turn around and vote RAT for Congressional races. We need a conservative 3rd party candidate to inspire disgruntled conservatives to vote for good Congressional candidates.
I have very little use for Rothenberg, but he's mostly right on this one. If Giuliani should somehow get the Republican nomination, there will be a 3rd party, conservative, presidential candidate, and he will get more votes than he gets attention leading up to the election, more than enough to keep Giuliani from winning, and more than enough to finish off the Whig, I mean Republican, party as a national party permanently. Can you say President Rodham? Obama will be lucky to be the VP, and I wouldn't hold my breath for that since Jesse and Al don't seem to be particularly keen on him.
That would be a stupid move.Conservatives have to stick together on this one unless they want Hillary and Obama for 8 years,because that will definitely happen if the GOP is divided.Come on conservatives Rome wasn't built in a day.