Posted on 03/04/2007 2:13:52 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
The 2008 presidential campaign is just weeks old, but already an article of faith within the Republican Party -- the belief that no politician who favors abortion rights and gay rights can win the GOP nomination -- is being challenged by the candidacy of former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
...."This is the first Republican presidential primary since Sept. 11," said Ed Gillespie, ... "Rudy Giuliani is a candidate who can clearly test the proposition that a Republican who is more moderate on social issues can capture the nomination. He's testing it now."
....Whit Ayres, a Georgia-based Republican pollster, said he has been struck by the number of conservatives he has encountered who disagree with Giuliani on abortion or gay rights but are still attracted to him as a possible Republican nominee. ....
"It truly is the question in Republican presidential politics at the moment," Ayres said. "There are a lot of people with a more traditional view who think that his leading in the polls is just a mirage and that he has no real chance. I don't believe that. I think there's more to this than simply name ID. "
...A veteran Republican strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly assess the situation, said he is among those who long believed that a Republican with Giuliani's profile would have no chance. He still believes the former mayor faces significant obstacles but said the odds of Giuliani winning the nomination are not as remote as they once seemed.
He gave three reasons: the absence of a strong, traditional conservative in the GOP field; continuing antipathy among many social and religious conservatives toward McCain; and the prospect of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) becoming the next president.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Same Here, and I am supporting Hnter and volunteering for him.
Not this Conservative
I'm not bemoaning it, I will be FIGHTING it. As are many of us now, registering with the grass roots campaigns of conservative candidates to get out the grass roots aginst men like Giuliani during the primary season.
We conservatives do not bemoan.....like liberals ...we DO!
Dear incredulous joe,
"The nature of conservatism is hopeful, positive and forward looking."
That's true. However, conservatism also tries to be realistic.
Realistically, if Mr. Giuliani wins the Republican nomination, conservatives will have lost, as no matter whether the person with the "R" or the person with the "D" attached wins, a liberal will be the next president.
However, we optimistic conservatives, upon finding ourselves presented with a general election choice that guarantees certain short-term defeat, will optimistically look forward to the future to rebuild the conservative cause in the United States.
Which, in the judgment of many realistic but optimistic and forward-looking conservatives, will require as a first step not voting for Mr. Giuliani.
sitetest
re: Non-sentient may be a bit strong, but I think I could make a decent case that at least half of the electorate is only semi-sentient. ;-)
Agreed. I had to force myself to keep a straight face when writing that... /grin
Agree 100%
Are you listening to what you're saying????
Having a pro-abortion President is better because????????
"I want to back a winner more than I want to support an ideology."
Same here. I prefer Rudy, Mitt, John or Newt to any announced democrat. IOW however imperfect the Republican nominee might be, he is still preferable to any democrat.
For the record, at this I prefer Mitt over Rudy or John. If Newt opts in, I prefer him out of the top four.
I don't worry about the lower tier, until they break out to the top tier.
That's the crux of it.
Does it bother you as well????--If not....it should!
This is word for word what Ivan said. Post number 60. (My words in red)
"That's not what she said. He was correcting the poster.
It's not the goals we disagree on, it's the means. He is explaining his thought.
Getting rid of abortion is going to require having appropriate justices in the Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade, This is a FACT.
a promise which Rudy has made, and can be made to stick to -This is true and is a FACT.
but following that, it will, by the provisions of the Tenth Amendment, follow state by state referenda. This is a FACT...not made up.
True the first part is easy, the second part, the polling data indicates, is incomplete. A TRUE FACT.
People will not be persuaded of the wrongs of abortion by being called apostates for lacking certainty on the issue." Common sense.
Ivan
********************************************************** And for THIS....Ivan was told to " GET LOST " ? I sincerely hope that Jim Robinson considers this, and realizes what Ivan was saying. (And it had nothing to do with anyone HATING ABORTION....most ALL of us do. And I will tell you another thing...Some of us are more involved with unwed mothers than you would EVER imagine , and maybe if instead of ACCUSING , and perhaps UNDERSTANDING, we could solve and cure alot of wrong thought.), and maybe as a "good will gesture" he can make right with Ivan , a respected poster, who I know respects Jim Robinson, as do I.
Neenah
Liberal Republicans like Rudy are more dangerous than liberal democrats,,,because liberal Republicans BLUR THE DISTINCTION between liberalism and conservatism,,,make LIBERALISM MUCH MORE ACCEPTABLE.
No thanks.
The "going along with" isn't just "willing" among some who call themselves Republicans, and are FReepers - it's also: supportive, defensive and outright hostile to those who speak against the daily massacre of our most vulnerable.
It's shameful to US that we have some right here who continue to pretend/insist that the preservation of Life isn't an issue (or is something to mock). It isn't shameful to them - they wear it with honor around here.
Well said, Neenah. I agree. The acrimony here is getting worse by the minute and in no way is it a constructive way to discuss the merits of the candidates and the primary goal of defeating the democrat candidate (Obama or Hillary).
If dems win, then it is a certainty that our nation will be vulnerable to terrorism, that pro-abortion judges will be nominated, that taxes will be raised, and that entitlements will increase. Count on it.
So the primary goal MUST be a Republican victory; all else can then at least have the possibility of coming to fruition.
Go Rudy
We can stop right there. Anonymous schmoe...who apparently seems clueless about how conservative and solid a candidate Duncan Hunter is....who fits the profile of the ..."strong, traditional conservative"...to a "T".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.