You seem to think the left will allow the Christian right to have any power, ever. I’m wondering what it is about the attacks on the Christian right over the past decade that allows you to come to that conclusion.
Basically, I’m saying it’s bad for the republican party in general if the socons sit out, but the republican party has a CHANCE of rebuilding coalitions. The socons will be permanently irrelevant. Not a good gamble. But have at it, and continue to be gleeful about it!
Let us not forget that Giuliani supporters are the part of the “coalition” that is about to bring about the split of the coalition. The “socons” have been very dependable with support at the polls. The “libcons”, the liberal/Giuliani wing of the party has very little support in the party, just possibly enough to win the primaries with the conservative support split among numerous candidates. The result of a Giuliani candidacy will be a fatal split of a very successful coalition. Think permanent minority.