All things considered, are there really any substantive policy differences between Rudy and say a Lincoln Chafee? None that I am aware of, and I am totally repulsed by the thought of a Chafee candidacy (not that it would or could ever happen).
The point is, Rudy has too much baggage to ever be elected to a national office.
It's unfortunate, but it does happen to have the benefit of truth.