I think probably Rudy is running well because he is backed by a mixture of people.
Most important are the big money people, country club Republicans, and professional party operators. They like Rudy because he’s pro-abortion and anti-gun, and because he knows how to wheel and deal with donors and operators.
Next are the RINOs, who also support him because he’s pro-abortion, pro-gay, etc.
Next are war supporters, who have been deluded into thinking that Giuliani and McCain are the two toughest candidates in the war on terror. I think Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter would be at least as good. And McCain is too whacko to trust.
Next are Democrats and media operators, anxious to split the Republican party. They don’t really like Rudy, but they are helping him along because it’s to their advantage. Then they would turn against him after the nomination.
I think most of these people, other than Democrats, could support Thompson. But huge numbers of social conservatives couldl never vote for Rudy.
There aren't huge numbers of social conservatives. They're maybe 15-20% of the electorate as a whole, and 1/2 of those vote dim.
Who do you think put the new Senators in Montana and Virginia over the top? Social liberals?