Rudy is "populist" because he is popular. He's popular because on the war he takes the stand that we should win (and most people, even democrats, still think that), and because on social issues he lets people do whatever they want with no guilt or blame, and who doesn't like that other than those who see that as the downfall of our society.
He takes the popular view on everything, in a way that suggests that while he might be "principled" on each issue, he doesn't have much of a foundation of principles that guide his choices.
Meaning it's hard to discern a driving philosophy that would lead a person to think that we should tap people phones, but take their guns, that we should fight for freedom, but kill babies. There aren't a lot of people like Rudy, but that's because most people can't stand the cognitive dissonance.
Now, there's one hell of a lopsided, sweeping statement.
What you just basically said if that principles are principles if they're only held by a minority, and that being in touch with the majority of the people he's looking to lead, makes a presidential candidate less than principled.
In other words, you believe that Presidential elections are won by not being in touch with a majority of the people who will be voting.
That's nuts.
Let's examine YOUR principles, shall we?
You used the words "killing babies" in your post...now, we both agree that abortion is wrong, and it's murder, and that abortionists kill babies by the millions every year.
What exactly have you done to stop this?
How many times have you physically walked into an abortion clinic and stopped a murder from happening?