Like many others, I am troubled by some of Rudy’s positions on typically strong conservative issues (abortion, guns, etc). That said, the two main issues in the next presidential election are national security and supreme court justice nominating rights. On the national security issue I feel good about all of the GOP candidates, and none of the Dem candidates. On supreme court justice nomination power, I feel better about all of the GOP candidates than any of the Dem candidates, but I have concerns about what Rudy and McCain would do with nominations. I think Hunter, Romney and Thompson would likely nominate more conservative justices, in line with Alito and Roberts.
Gun control is not a hot topic in Congress (the dems are afraid of it), and I see states making the next forays into abortion legislation. Rudy is weak on those issues, but I think he would be strong on national security.
I think the May 3rd Debate will put Guliani on stage with Hunter et al. I think at that point it will be an opportunity to press RG on his second admendment stance and Supremes stance to see what his real intent is in these areas. If someone like Ducan Hunter wants to distinguish himself, he will need to make the lines between himself and Gulliani clear and wide. It will also serve as a chance for Gulliani to clarify his position with conservatives, and possibly gain back some ground. I usually don't think these early "large" debates are useful, but I think this one is going to be under the current state of the candidates.