"Why is it that candidates for office Nationwide, including the South, salivate at the thought of him appearing at their campaign rallies?"
Guilianni is a Hero. We honor him for his heroism. But that's as far as it goes. When it comes to voting for a president, we want someone who defends our Constitutional rights. As for abortion, Americans don't like it. They only support it in cases of rape/incest/life of mother, and frankly, most Americans are sickened by the most blatant misuses of abortion [which includes the vast majority of abortions performed] and respect those who defend life.
Maybe they don't like it, but a vast number want the laws to remain exactly as they are.
If you believe otherwise you are deluding yourself.