Please first look at my post #254 on this thread.
It is clear from your heartfelt, well reasoned, and intelligent presentation that you should not vote for Guiliani in the Republican primary. As a strong supporter of Guiliani, I do not intend on challenging you as to what this means for a Guiliani presidency at this time. I respect your opposition and know that I will not change your mind. I do offer the following thought to think about if Rudy is nominated by the Republicans. New York City is not a venue where a mayor can espouse a consistently strong conservative viewpoint. On crime, Rudy challenged the liberal orthodoxy manifested by his predecessor Dinkins and took strong controversial steps to significantly reduce crime. One only needs to look at Times Square to see marked evidence of his success. Rudy's positions on the WOT do not take a backseat to anyone.
While I am not asking you now to change your objections to Guiliani in the primary, nor do I expect you to be other than frustrated and angered if Guiliani is nominated. If that occurs, then I am asking you to rise above those feelings and engage in the choice ahead in a thoughtful manner. You are exactly the type of person that I will challenge to strongly support Guiliani if matched up against Hillary.
One thing that I want to be clear with you on. I recognize that your feelings at this time are focused on and so strong anti-Guiliani and you might feel that there is no way you can support him under any circumstances - even against Hillary. My head up the butt comment does not pertain to such a current assessment at this time as the focus is more
on who will be the Republican candidate. There is no rationale reason for you at this time to reflect upon a Guiliani vs Clinton race. There will be ample time for such reflection if and when the race comes about. As a person who is able to think, I do believe (or at least hope that you would believe) with my head up the butt assessment.
"New York City is not a venue where a mayor can espouse a consistently strong conservative viewpoint. "
True, but did Guliani have to endorse liberal Democrat Mario Coumo over Pataki in 1994?
Is there such a thing as a "Coumo Republican"?!?!?
Compare with blue-stater Romney who is more consistently conservative in his governance despite the similar dilemma of an R among lib Dems:
http://www.freerepublic.com/~unmarkedpackage/