"If the GOP wants to shed that image, the need to back away from candidates who don't pass the smell test. I'm afraid that Rudy fits in that catagory."
Don't you understand that Republicans CAN'T avoid that image simply because the media won't let them avoid it and will concoct scandals where none at all exist--usually with the complicity of Nervous-Nelly Republicans? How much convincing does it take--especially after the recent Scooter Libby affair? Look at how George Allen was put on the defensive because of aome minor casual remark--which was blown way out of proportion by the left and made to look racist. The GOP could run Mother Teresa and the left would smell corruption. That's just the reality of the political environment we live in. The ONLY SOLUTION IS TO FIGHT BACK--the way Rudy did in NYC. He is not afraid to return fire with fire. He clobbered the NYTimes and the local television stations with his own kind of media blitz. He is exceptionally articulate, doesn't take crap, and knows how to strike fear in the opposition.
The Republicans don't do what they can. Why did Berger get next thing to amnesty? The GOP doesn't give the media anything to work with. Why did the? Republicans keep a faggot in office even after they knew there was a page problem? We can't blame the media bias if we don't do what we can. Running Rudy with all his problems isn't going to help the party. Sure he'll fight back, but it won't only be libs, Dems, and the media he'll be fighting.