"He is the 'front runner' because people know his name." Most people have the odd habit of only voting for those they have heard of. Rudy has been heard of because of his accomplishments.
"When people start to get interested in the race they'll start to see he is a lovable, walking freak show and he'll go the way of Howard Dean." Most politically-minded, savvy people go out of their way not to gratuitously insult their opponents since those opponents just might win. They do this so as to have SOME influence should that happen.
You Rudyphobes seem determined to burn each and every bridge then blow up the foundations so as to insure that you have NO influence whatsoever. The damage you could do your own cause is enormous and you are oblivious to it.