[Alberta's Child]

What's most remarkable about this column is that it was written by John Podhoretz -- who has been one of Giuliani's strongest cheerleaders over the last few months even to the point of being delusional and pathological about it.

If this is what Podhoretz is saying, then I think it's a safe bet that Giuliani's performance last night was a complete disaster.

[Liz]

My thoughts precisely——and if by some strange osmosis Rooty had scored a biggie last night, Podheretz would be singing a different tune.

It’s amazing how these types slip back and forth between their various personnae.

[karnage]

I didn’t see the debate, but from what I’ve read on FR, a lot of observers feel that Rudy did not do well. I have not been a total Rudybot, but willing to consider him. I expected him to do well in debates. If not...

What do you think of Romney?

[tcostell]

Personally I think the last thing you can say about John is that he's delusional, but I agree that he's been a cheerleader. John is less an ideologue and views himself as taking a more practical view of politics. In his eyes he's keeping his focus on winning and worrying about policy as a secondary concern, while we at FR tend to be more ideologically driven and view his take as a "win at any price" attitude.

Apart from being from NYC and knowing Rudy personally, his political priorities jives with supporting Rudy as the strongest candidate to beat the Dems. Now that the Giuliani campaign has begun it's freefall in earnest, we can count on John to propose practical and effective ways to help ensure a win for whoever gets the nod.

I'll admit, he gets on my nerves a little sometimes too because I think policy is more important than victory. But one thing is for sure, and that is that John is a serious guy with a lot of serious thoughts and a damned smart cookie.

I'm glad he's on our side.

[azhenfud]

I believe Podhoretz won’t be the only celeb conservative moving away from Giuliani when the true Rudy color begins to leech back through.

I believe many will come to realize that although Giuliani was right for NYC and “conservative” by NYC’s standards - he’s just not the right conservative for the rest of the Union. I believe Olsen will be in that group.