Oh, for cryin' out loud, grow some thicker skin. This is primary season, which on FR is a full-contact sport - it was just this way in 1999. Both sides are throwing shots, and both will shrug it off just like rugby players knock each other silly and then go out for a beer after the game.
The reason so many on the right are making a lot of noise is that they see Rudy as the near-absolute worst choice to win in 2008 (with McVain slightly worse).
You don't hold the party together from the far left of such, and you don't draw Reagan Democrats by making yourself indistinguishable from the Dem for issues that drew them in the past, such as abortion.
The GOP moderates, having spent the party out of power, seem to think that doing more of what failed (moving leftward) is the solution to what has been failing. That, quite frankly, is the liberal mindset personified (with publik skools being the prime example).
And there is an even more problematic factor rushing headfirst at the party for 2008. The Dems are now preparing to draft immigration "reform" legislation that will be appalling. And Bush will most likely sign it. That will infuriate a lot of conservatives.
And if a pro-amnesty pubbie like Rudy or McVain is nominated, many of them will just leave, because the party no longer represents their views on too many key issues.
That is why Duncan Hunter is doing well now on the right - he is pro-defense, pro-WOT and anti-amnesty. I'd rather get a more marquee name in place, but he's the only pony running right now on the right that is right about most of the issues.
But for God's sake dont criticize or question Duncan Hunter's ability to climb to one percent in the GOP presidential polls. ROFWL Hypocrites. Duncan Who? You say he went to Vietnam. Didn't JFK go there too and win some medals?
If this happens and I think it will (Dem congress will past Bush's immigration program), then what difference will immigration policy make. It will be a done deal. It wont change for years, if ever. It would make absolutely no sense to leave the party under those conditions. Who you going to support, the Liberal LIbertarians or the nutcase Constitutionalists or Perotistas if they still exist. All you will do is ensure that more Clinton's get elected. Oh Happy Days are here again!! You will be happy too, since all you nuckle draggers like to do is complain anyway. You never did want to govern.