I would not vote for McCain if that were the case, so if that's what comes out of the convention, then McCain loses my support. It's that simple.
The truth is, though, that I've got to wait to see.
The other truth is that Romney has recently been very liberal. McCain has recently acted very liberal. Both are now backing off of some of what they've done.
McCain clearly is the defense leader and is committed to winning the WOT.
McCain has a moderately strong lifelong opposition to abortion with one documentable bad mistep with a statement about retaining Roe v Wade. I'd like to see that statement in context, because I can't make sense of a pro-life position with a resignation to RvW.
Romney is a decent economic conservative with some missteps in the area of "fee" enhancements being covert tax increases. He has a misstep in the area of forced healthcare.
I believe he's been a consistent pro-defense republican.
I have serious doubts about his anti-life, anti-gun, and pro-gay agenda past.
In sum, it's a toss up between the two. If I can support Romney, then I can support McCain. I think McCain has it locked up now, though, to be honest with you.
Romney's money cannot overcome McCain's name recognition.
McCain will definitely turn me against him, though, if he selects Giuliani as the VP. You are absolutely correct in that regard.
At this point I've become ambivalent. I think McCain will trounce the democrats because I really don't think the independents are ready for Hillary or Obabma and they don't really know that much about McCain.
Romney's biggest problem in this race is that he just doesn't connect with people. He's not the kind of guy you'd invite over to your super bowl party, unless he came to the door with a 60 inch HDTV. That colored hair with the touch of gray at the sideburns just looks too Metrosexual. He should have let it go at least partially gray, stop greasing it back and let it appear windblown and he should start shaving before he goes to bed so he can have that hard edged 5 O'Clock shadow when he appears on TV.
But it's probably too late for Romney to start looking like a real person.
I'll probably vote for whoever the Republican candidate is at this point provided that they don't pick Giuliani as a running mate. I don't think I'll campaign for any of them. I just can't get excited about this bunch.