FDT fact of the day: while serving in the Senate, 'future president' Thompson passed three bills - mostly post office naming stuff. During this same time, McCain passed 17 pieces of legislature. The difference is leadership (even though McCain is an asshat I dislike and don't care for - he is a leader).
That was then and this is now.
Fred is the only top tier candidate who is leading a no nonsense, across the board conservative campaign.
Rudy's positions in this campaign on abortion, illegal immigration and gun control are not leadership. Those positions are inside the beltway, follow the establishment, liberal.
I could say similar things about McCain's lack of leadership in this campaign. His positions on the Amnesty Bill and Gitmo, follow the liberal, inside the beltway crowd.
Mitt seems to be a later convert to conservatism than Fred.
It is Fred now, today, in the present, during this election cycle who is showing the leadership about what is best for this country.