You miss a key aspect of that. It's one thing to be like McDonnell from Virginia who did not actively campaign on social issues, sticking instead to Tea Party basics.
It's another entirely to be like Rudy who has actively promoted abortion interests (I refuse to call it abortion rights) and who has fought against basic 2nd Amendment rights.
Socons and 2nd Amendment proponents may vote for the likes of McDonnell, but not for someone like Rudy who has actively and aggressively worked against their interests in the past. Downplaying socon issues is vastly different from trashing them.
That's as may be, and I agree with you, but when Mitch Daniels suggested that the socon issues be downplayed for a while, many here at FR went "absolutely Rudy" on him.
Hey Dirtboy...at this point economic conservatives, moderates and independents may likely disregard Rudy’s abortion and gay rights background...they tend to view him more as a “law and order” candidate as opposed to a “liberal Republican” candidate...also, the Left absolutely positive HATES Rudy with a passion, which gives him “Republican” credibility...regardless, the primary system is not set up to give Rudy a chance in the Republican race, so it’s probably a moot point, so as I indicated, right now this is a Romney/Palin race at this point in time...Merry Christmas ! ...magritte