Rudy has the money, the name recognition, and the solid executive experience. He is in favor of limiting government and tax cuts while the other Republican candidates favor the failed status quo of spending on liberal entitlement programs and the welfare state that's going to create class divisions and hostilities.
Whatever candidate you're shilling for has a career of keeping a seat warm in Congress who did little to advance both the fiscal and the social conservatism that you want to handcuff Rudy to.
After that, who knows!
While I have no love lost for NYC (except for the Yankees, of course), I did grow up a part of my life there in the 1970s, and frankly some of you folks out in 'flyover country' don't have a clue about what it takes to get elected in NYC.
All these wonderful old quotes y'all are pulling out of your *sses were made during NYC campaigns - and remember that the first time around Giuliani lost to the "Doorman", David Dinkins, who was such an empty suit that 4 years later Rudy beat him.
Would you have preferred to have him run a Jesse Helms-campaign in NYC? And what - expect him to get elected with 10% of the vote?
Giuliani BARELY got elected in one of the most liberal cities in America - and then proceeded to clean up NYC like no other mayor had done since at least Fiorello Laguardia 50+ years earlier.
After many years away I did visit the city several times during Rudy's mayoralty, and was amazed at the fact that the Times Square area was clean of porn and dope fiends, middle class couples regularly took their children strolling in Central Park, and the City was cleaned up.
THAT, my fellow "Either Coast-haters", was as admirable an achievement as anything that came out of the 12-year GOP control of Congress.
Now, stop threatening to "take your marbles and go home" if Rudy is the nominee and GROW UP!
Giuliani's national campaign will be far more conservative than his campaigns for mayor. I am at least glad to hear some of you stating that you'll vote for him in November, if not in the Spring. My hunch is that this is what damn-near ALL of you will do if he's nominated.
And I'll say this one for all you MINDLESS Romney-haters (remember him? he pulled off one better than Rudy even and got himself elected Governor of Taxachusetts). Smarting that he didn't run like Jesse Helms up there and lose with 5% of the vote Einsteins?
Well, here is my prediction for you: The GOP nominee in 2008 will be either Rudy or Romney - maybe Rudy/Romney even. PERIOD. There is NO ONE else out there save McCain and we all know why we'd prefer not to vote for him.
Rudy is THE ONLY national candidate that you or I can absolutely trust to defend America, AND YOU KNOW IT.
That, the most important issue today, gives him an edge in the early going.
P.S. Just in case some braniac out there doesn't have a stroke, I guess I'd better fess up to being the #1 Jesse Helms fan who never lived in North Carolina. Even sent him a campaign contribution was back when. Loved to tell liberals that I wished we'd have 100 Senators like him - still do.
But honestly, folks - do you really expect a candidate running in the NE to sound like Jesse and have a prayer of being elected?
If he runs for real, Rudy will tack to the right in the primaries, and win in November by tacking back to the center. The old Dick Nixon strategy. The old Dick Nixon WINNING strategy.
Or would you prefer to have Hitlery Klintoon as your next CINC?