Unless something dramatically changes for the better in Iraq (as we all hope that it will) the election will be a referendum on the war and on Prez. Bush's conduct of the war. There might be some single-issue voters who will only vote based on where a candidate stands on abortion or gun control, but I guarantee you that if things stay on their current course the only issue that the silent majority will give a tinker's damn about is Iraq.
Accepting that as a given, the only way that we can win is by running a more moderate outsider who has proven that he can bridge partisan divides and manage crises. Rudy has those credentials, and while he's not everything that I want, I'm willing to accept his shortcomings in order to prevent a Dem takeover of the Executive branch.
What good is this "bridging" when you are pushing your own base off the other end of the bridge? Telling your own voters that you don't give a damn about the issues they hold dear, is NOT a way to win an election.