[freedomfiter2]

I won't like a liberal R, but I'll like it a little more than a socialist D.

We don't have to make that choice now. Find a candidate that best represents what you believe and support him. If he doesn't win the primary, well then you can compromise. There is no reason for a conservative to lower his standards nearly a year before the primaries start.

[Tatze]

That is what I said. I will vote for a conservative in the primary, Duncan Hunter, Newt, Huckabee. I don't know yet. I will NOT vote for Rudy, McCain, Romney, or any other liberal in the primary. But once the primary ends, it becomes the lesser of the evils, unfortunately.

[Terabitten]

There is no reason for a conservative to lower his standards nearly a year before the primaries start.

Hear, hear! That's why I'm voting for Hunter in the primaries.

[PerConPat]

There is no reason for a conservative to lower his standards nearly a year before the primaries start.

For the past ten days or so I have followed the Rudy vis--vis Hunter posting. And I have come to the conclusion that the abortion issue is the dominant factor now in play with regard to the Rudy support at FR. Further, Rudy's record on Second Amendment and immigration issues does not appear to be generating enthusiastic support from his backers. And since Hunter's and Rudy's positions on the rest of the issues don't seem to be either a major problem or well enough known at this point, I say that it's abortion that has lit the fire.

Your comment, quoted above, is at the heart of my deduction. Although Rudy has impressive credentials, the ease with which he swings- unfortunate choice of words perhaps- Left of center is troubling. Given the Pubs' platform, one would think there should be a bit more reluctance by so many to anoint him as the nominee this early in the race. At the very least, I would have expected that Rudy would have been asked for more bona fides on pro-life topics than his backers have seemed to demand in these early innings. Sadly, I am left with the question as to whether a similar spectre is haunting the GOP as a whole. Whatever, basing one's decision to select a favorite on the basis of "electability" a year before the Primaries is a thin justification in my book.