[Old_Mil]

Of the 19 declared presidential candidates as of this writing, Rudy Giuliani is the most logical choice to forge this new coalition of conservatives. He is enough of a social liberal to attract Reagan Democrats

At this point, the author displays his complete lack of understanding of Reagan Democrats. They weren't (and aren't Democrats) because of social issues - they are because of economic issues. They're the people that endless NAFTA-like deals, the outsourcing of jobs to third world countries, and so on drove from the party ... you know, those policies that the Rockafeller wing of the Republican party saddled the Socons with.

It's perfectly logical to try and reforge such a coalition - but Duncan Hunter (not Rudy Giuliani) is the man to do it.

[theothercheek]

Rudy is regarded by the Club for Growth as being an anti-tax fiscal conservative. So that part will indeed appeal to Reagan Democrats. But Reagan Democrats are moderate on social issues, not ultraconservative. In time, with a series of increasingly right-tilting Republican candidates they can be coaxed to vote for someone more conservative than otherwise. But you can’t scare them off right away. You have to ease them toward the right direction. On the other hand, seeing them jump party lines to vote for someone more center-right than anyone the Dem party is fielding might inspire Blue Dogs to eventually run themselves. Then WE might consider voting for one of them. I’m done with the same old, same old Republicans - but I do not want to sit out election day,