I think you are right but I have the perfect solution that would drive the liberals absolutely nuts especially the teacher's unions. Pick the former Governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating for VP. He is is tough as nails, shares the terrorism on OK with NYC, went after the teacher's union and they hate him, has a tendency to insert foot in mouth which makes people like me love him. Gov Keating doesn't back down.
Gov Keating just came out with the fact that immediately after OKC Bombing he asked the FBI to investigate further all the reports of additional people being involved but nothing ever happened. He has the documentation to back it up. Something caused him to go public with that which might be Ms. Clinton running and getting his hands on the documents -- that is pure speculation on my part.
The election dynamics have changed. I think people are tired of politicians trying to preach morality. I'm not saying Republicans should walk away from it, but running on it solely while being big government in fiscal and national security matters is courting disaster.
If Rudy denounces his social liberal past then voting for him is a no-brainer. I get my moral values from my community, my church, and my family. I don't need to look to politicians for social conservatism.