The nomination would not ride on the VP, would it?
It's been known to happen. Look at Ford in 1976: forced to dump Rockefeller from the ticket in order to hold off Reagan's challenge.
I agree and I did sort of exempt Rudy from my general rules that if you want to pick a nominee who might win the general:
1. Eliminate the guys and gals who have never won statewide elections in a medium to big state.
2. Eliminate the Senators
Rudy may be a special case. But notice all those here fearing Clinton/Obama are fearing two sitting Senators. The last time a sitting Senator won the White House was 1960, they had to cheat to win that one and the previous time was, I don't know when but certainly before FDR or Hoover. That is unless Kerry wins this time and then Clinton in 08 is not an issue.