In my own life experience - and this strikes VERY close to home, the operative principle is "The more TALK, the LESS WALK."
IE. The difference between Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker on the one hand, and Ronald Reagan on the other.
Watching Rudy praying through his tears at funeral after funeral post 9/11 is more convincing as to what is in the man's CHARACTER than any amount of Bible-thumping being spewed by FAKE CHRISTIANS who live in glass houses while throwing BRICKBATS at passers-by.
And I know - because I spent 12 years married to a PSYCHO who did that on an everyday basis. Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde she was. I am surprised I am still alive, frankly.
After I stopped reading this thread last night, I was reflecting on things, and had a few thoughts along these lines. While I don't care for Rudy's political views, he really is a stand up guy. He can speak well, and he can connect with people on a human level, but I think you used a good term. Character.
I may not agree with a lot of his views, and know he's no saint in his personal life. I still recognize him as a man whos character was chisled in adversity, and made better for it. Now, I know some FReepers will be up and arms over this. It's beyond their ken to understand how someone could hold views they disagree with, and still be a man of character. But he is. ;-)