In New York, they do not consider anyone who is as conservative as we on FR are as real people. They see us as cave-dwelling, knuckle-dragging, types.
Rudy is definitely right of center when you compare him to other NYC residents.
I think he will moderate his beliefs (go more to the right) as he changes his job description.
Regarding guns, he has agreed to appoint strict constructionist SCOTUS judges. That is really all a President can do to protect your gun rights: To promise as much as he can NOT to interfere with the current trend of CC permits and "shall issue" legislation. As a target shooter and one who appreciates the Second Amendment, I do not fear Rudy.
Regarding abortion, likewise, the best thing a President could do would be to appoint strict constructionist SCOTUS judges. Then, when the right circumstances appear to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion laws will be returned to the states as they should be. Rudy has agreed to do this.
I can't tell you how many Right to Life banquets I have been to over the years where I have heard of or seen people like Dan Quayle or George Bush 41 profess their sympathy with the movement. Years and years later exactly ZERO progress in right to life legislation has occurred. This is because the good will of Presidents and legislators has ZERO effect on the war on abortion. The only way to change things is by appointing strict constructionist POTUS judges, which Rudy has agreed to do.
Regarding statism, I am not so sure Rudy wants this. Did you see his interview on Kudlow and Company on CNBC? He was emphatic about wanting to cut taxes on all fronts, agressively and permanently if possible. This is not the talk of a statist, in my opinion.
I think Rudy is trying to communicate the point that his circumstances as Mayor of NYC require a certain liberal bent, and in that environment he was as conservative as he could be. He was definitely into 'law and order' as witnessed by his cleaning up of NYC. He was definitely a fiscal conservative as witnessed by his cutting so many taxes in NYC. He was and is DEFINITELY into strong defense and taking an active stance against terrorism. He definitely inspires and reassures people in trying times. These are good, CONSERVATIVE traits, all.
He is definitely trying to show that he understands that his role as POTUS must involve his representation of the more conservative American population, not the liberal NYC population.
Regards, caddie.
I look at his track record, and it is dismal, where conservatism is concerned. He is NOT a conservative by ANY stretch of the imagination, and I don't trust him.
Based on this, WHY would any Republican or self-described conservative take a CHANCE and support and/or vote for this liberal RINO, when there are others that are TRUE CONSERVATIVES that can be our man?