I think that rank and file Republicans look at the field and see the two most liberal of the candidates - Giuliani and Romney - as the most electable. And unlike the strong socon contingency that posts here, to those Republicans defeating Hillary trumps all other issues.
They see, correctly, imo, that Hillary will change the face of America like no other President has done before her. She is socialism’s Queen Bee, and she is ready to sting.
The policies she could enact with a Dem congress would relegate Conservatism to an unelectable fringe philosophy, by making sure that suffrage is extended to all those that would be beholding to a Democrat nanny-state.
Is that what you want? It’s not what mainstream Republicans want, so Rudy and Romney continue to poll well nationally. I am anti-Rudy on social issues, but I am pro-practicality above all else. (As, I believe, was Rudy, when he was whipping ultra-liberal New York City into shape).
Simply put, we can return to Conservatism after a Rudy presidency (might not his running mate be a staunch Conservative?), but we will NEVER be able to send a Conservative to the White House following a Clinton-redux presidency with a Democrat Congress.
Can you possibly believe that Hillary Clinton will allow herself to be a bridge to the next Ronald Reagan? No, my friends, Hillary will make sure those bridges are burned.
Rush, Sean and Mark will be considered to be purveyors of “hate speech”, and we will lose our voice. They will find a way to circumvent the Electoral College. They will socialize medicine. They will outrage Conservatives with impunity, knowing that we will be outvoted at every election.
This country, this party and Conservatism can withstand a Rudy presidency. They cannot withstand a Hillary presidency.
Freepers, we have to understand that our brand of Conservatism is a subset of the Republican party, even though pro-life-ism is a plank in the Republican platform. All those who are pro-life and staunch second amendment advocates, and put those issues first are Republicans - there are no Dems or Liberals with those beliefs. But NOT all Republicans place those two planks at the top of the platform - that is the cold truth.
Ronald Reagan was the perfect storm. Idealistic and practical, with a clear view of government’s role in our lives. All his views feathered in with ours as social and fiscal conservatives - and he was eminently electable. But candidates with all those attributes are very few and very far between.
But we need Republican Presidents to bridge us to the next true Conservative. That’s why this election is so different. We MUST elect a Republican. We MUST, as unpleasant and frustrating as it is, once again reshuffle our priorities in the name of practicality - and survival.
I don't like Romney any more than Giuliani but he is just apt to be elected and I could vote for him. Giuliani is a Rockefeller Republican Last Hurrah and will give us the permanent Social Democrat state by losing and taking many down-ticket Republicans with him.