"Other than that, he is an intellectual cosmopolitan who's world view is foreign to that of AMERICAN conservatism, even in its most moderate forms."
Rudy is a fiscal, domestic, and foreign policy conservative that supports strict constructionist judges.
"his lack of religious faith does not bother me"
He's a Catholic and certainly a firm believer in God.
"he would have retired in disgrace (his approval rating in early September 2001 was in the low to mid 30s)."
The Presidents approval ratings are there now and Truman's were even lower when he left office. Approval ratings don't mean much. Time for 24 now.
Catholic? You mean a thrice divorce, pro-gay (lived with two gay men) letch like Rudy?
Foreign policy? Other than being a wannabe Likudnik, Rudy's views on foreign policy are as shallow and cloudy as a mudpuddle in da Bronx.
"Strict Contructionist." BS! George Ryan and Eisenhower both said the same thing. Can you say Earl Warren boys and girls? Rudy is about as well versed in Anglo American constitutional principles as he is about women.
Did I mention that he is pro-illegal alien, stating in 1996 that Prop 187 was "morally wrong" and that New York was open to "all immigrants" regardless of legal status?
Rudy doesn't belong in the Republican Party, or any other AMERICAN political party. His line of thinking is more in line of that with the Gaullists and the old PDC in Italia. He is more of a Eurofag in his politics than John Kerry. ;-)