"No one is suggesting Rudy is the NRA's first choice for President nor is he mine, but he has backed away from his NY Mayor era pronouncements on firearms."Oh, he backed away? That changes EVERYTHING!!!! /sarc
Look, you basing your vote on the guy because of what he says he's going to do. I'm not voting for him because of what he has done in office. If he wins the presidency, he'll run the country the same way. At least with Hillary, Congressional Republicans will fight her.
"Rudy, I think was playing to his voters back then more than anything else."
What voters was he playing to in 1994 when he escorted Bill Clinton to Minneapolis to campaign for a semi-auto gun ban? Also, what makes you think he won't play to the voters when he gets into office (supposing media polls feed him liberal wants)? Look at the so-called polls on Iraq now.
Look, we survived 8 years of Clinton with the Dems barely passing the Brady Bill.
And that helps convince a lot of people that we can survive 4 more, particularly if the alternative is to make the Republican party more liberal. If Rudy is elected President, the entire idealogy (sp?) of the party shifts heavily to the left. Why? Because we would have shown the RNC, that hey - those social issues just aren't that important to us. We'll vote for ANYBODY!!!
"So, Bird, Rabid, Both of ya'll-- GET REAL! Rudy ain't going to do away with the 2nd Amendment!"
At the risk of sounding contentious (and I'm trying hard to keep it civil), no one is saying Rudy will do away with the 2nd Amendment. But suppose another Columbine happens. Or another Virginia Tech. Given Rudy's history, what possible reason would you have to believe he wouldn't sign a new Brady Bill? How about a national registry for handguns? Or even better - a national carry permit card! It's worked so well for Canada.
"You say you hate voting for RINOs, well so do I, but I'd still pull the lever for the King of RINOs John McCain before I'd vote for any Dem or let my non vote help elect one."
Great. I'm not going to mock your choice. I'm not going to wave the Boogeyman in front of your face, and tell you that's what you're getting. But there's one thing you really have to grasp - if Rudy is nominated, it will be the FIRST time the Republican party has nominated a candidate who has a pro-choice history, anti-gun legislation, pro-gay agenda, and so on. A LOT of people won't go for that.
"Consider that you and others of like ilk withholding your votes may bring about the downfall of conservatism, the Republican Party and even the nation. If that what you want as your claim to fame?"
Once again, you have a gift for being obtuse and ironic at the same time(yeah, I'm testy - the word "ilk" is kinda contentious). What is conservatism to you? Rudy is LIBERAL on almost every issue. Nominating him doesn't necessary split the party, but it does ensure a large portion stays home or goes 3rd party. And these aren't the fringe guys that throw the names of Keyes, Tancredo, and Hunter out there (my apologies to the supporters of those guys) - it's a much larger portion. Rudy doesn't represent my values at all. He talks tough, and is very affable (heck, if it wasn't for his more vocal supporters, I'd probably like the guy), but he isn't conservative. And if you toss your values and conscience away as easily as that, I don't think you are, either.
"Then go ahead, but don't expect me to have any respect for your nonsensical smug position."
Who's smug? I'm scared. If Hillary is elected President, a lot of things I don't like will happen. If Rudy is elected President, a lot of things I don't like will happen. If I cast a vote for either one of them, who do I have to blame for that? Who?
"Keep going down that path, Bird... and the next thing we know, you'll be promoting pacifism, tinfoil hats, perpetual motion machines, chasing cars on all fours, howling at the moon, etc...
I know that isn't for me, but I have nooooo idea where you are going with that. If I left out anything you wanted addressed, let me know - I just grabbed what I thought were the main points.
(ilk?)
Okay, Rabid...
since it may never come up as I believe Fred will get the GOP nomination, we will make it real simple like a scotch neat:
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Hillary, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing Her Ankleship?
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Obama, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing JeFingK Lite?
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Bill Richardson, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing Clinton Lite?
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Breck Boy, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing Liz's Faggy Hubby?
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Joe Biden, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing a follicle-challenged plagiarist?
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Chris Dodd, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing the non-Kennedy half of a waitress sandwich?
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Dennis Kucinich, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing the demented elf?
If you have the choice of voting for Rudy or Algore, do you hold you nose and vote for Rudy, or do you not vote and take the chance of helping electing the Whale?
Could Rudy possibly be worse... 
than any of these?
BTW 'ilk' means type or kind...