[garv]

I am also a former New Yorker and lived and worked in NYC during both the Dinkins and Giuliani administrations and I much preferred Giuliani.

That said, I can't figure out why Rudy has been anointed as a national security guru. Yes, he has supported the war and the President's anti-terror efforts, but that hardly distinguishes him from millions of other ordinary citizens. He showed leadership in the aftermath of 9/11, but again, what does it mean? Is he being rewarded for not being Ray Nagin? He did his job and was steady in a crisis, so did Haley Barbour, a much preferable candidate from a conservative perspective.

I also have difficulty backing a candidate solely based on his views on Iraq and the WOT. There is a very high likelihood that the Iraq war will be a non-factor in 2008. Congressman David Vitter, no RINO by any stretch of the imagination and the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services committee, stated on Meet the Depressed this morning that the troop surge was, for practical purposes and in his mind, the last stand. If in six months the situation in Iraq has not dramatically improved, the war will be over for all intents and purposes. If that is the case the only issue in the 2008 campaign will be who will get the troops out faster, regardless of the nominee.

I know that there are other national security issues than the Iraq War, but again how has Rudy distinguished himself from any other contender on those issues?

[Dark Skies]

Sorry, but I am completely unprepared to answer an intelligent and civil question.

Just joshing.

I believe the war is far and away the single biggest challenge facing our country. That said, I believe Rudy understands the nature and importance and dangers of this War. Still in this vein, Rudy has the demonstrated managerial experience and a solid track record at dealing with very difficult and heretofore intractable problems (like the mess the City was in when Rudy got it). Additionally, Rudy has demonstrated courage and a willingness to tackle dangerous problems (and win)...like the 5 families in NYC.

Bottom line however is this. I think Rudy ought to be permitted to fight it out with the rest of the candidates and may the best man win. I am a conservative but I know one thing...the Democrats don't know we are at war and they will cut and run in 2008 if they win.

They (the Democrats) MUST NOT be permitted to win in 2008. The free world depends on that.