McCain was the front runner out of the gate. Perhaps the most well known and media liked republican in history. Name ID was 100%. Rudy was probably #2 in the celebrity category, and he soon overtook McCain in the polls. Romney was also a celebrity ex-governor. And Fred was a movie star.
No more celebrities. Only genuine Reaganites.
Sarah Palin for President.
No, everyone was talking about Rudy vs. Hillary for months, maybe even years, before things got rolling.