Excellent article. Many of the issues that they claim he is weak on, he would have absolutely no bearing on.
I could see if he was running for Governor or Legislator or nominated to be a SCOTUS nominee but the President will never do anything meaningful on Abortion or Gay Marriage or Guns for that matter.
"Reporters compiling lists of where candidates stand on the issues could simplify the process by asking where candidates stand on issues in which a presidential decision might actually be involved -- such as avoiding wars, establishing a workable immigration policy or restraining runaway federal spending. Unless we see some gutsy political entrepreneurship, for a change, gloomy economic themes may continue to dominate Democratic primaries and social issues may dominate Republicans primaries."
Not just reporters, but VOTERs should focus on issues that the President can actually impact.
Another good article:
Thinking Hard About Voting For Rudy Guiliani
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1790236/posts
"So I could have sworn, even a few months ago, that I'd never vote for Rudy Giuliani, in spite of my deep respect for his considerable achievements as mayor. So why would I even think of changing my mind? Two things: national security, and Hillary Clinton's Supreme Court appointments.
When I ask myself, who of all the candidates in both parties do I most trust to keep me and my children safe? The answer is instantaneous, deeper than the level any particular policy debate can go: Rudy Giuliani. And when I look ahead on social issues like gay marriage, the greatest threat I see is that the Supreme Court with two or more appointments from Hillary Clinton, will decide that our Founding Fathers, in their wisdom, created a national constitutional right to whatever social liberals have decided is the latest civil rights battle. "
The presidential link to the abortion issue is the SCOTUS. That's why his stance is crucial.
I'm sure you're referring to Rudy. Rudy is not my favorite candidate, but you are correct. His positions on topics that offend conservative Republicans would not affect his running the country. But too many people on this forum and elsewere demand ideological perfection. Which means that a ideological pure candidate might be nominated in 2008. And get crushed by Hillary.
I personally don't agree with Rudy on those hot button social issues, but he is electable. The main reason is that he is right on economics and defense, and simply many apolitical Americans like Rudy. Many times the election comes down to that. Likability. Nobody knows who Mitt Romney is. When nominating a candidate, the ability of a candidate to actually win the election has to be accounted for. I hope Republican delegates keep this in mind next year.