[Wallace T.]

Giuliani has done well in pushing the Christian Right and the anti-abortion, anti-"gay rights" crowd into a corner. To some extent, they suffer from aging leadership (Dobson, Robertson, and Falwell are in their 70s, and Dobson and Falwell have had health issues) and a lack of recent political successes.

However, Giuliani will have to make a few breakthroughs to win the general election. He has to reach new audiences in his native Northeast and California who have voted for the Democratic nominee in the last four election cycles. His supporters overestimate the support that conservatives will give him out of fear of Hillary becoming President. In 1996, Bob Dole received almost the same number of votes (39 million) that the elder Bush had in 1992 despite four years of Clinton sleaze and socialistic initiatives.

[joesbucks]

You know, I want the socons to have a voice, not a megaphone. I want them in the debate, but not always able to arm twist an outcome.

You're right they are aging. They have often been able to paint a moderate face in public settings. What went on behind the scenes however was much more severe.

But their organizations have a problem. Their replacements, either internally or in other organizations are much more strident and shrill.