[TAdams8591]

"But she's wrong. The worst we get is the situation we have here in NJ after a Romney presidency--a Republican party that's not functionally conservative anymore, and that actually punishes conservative candidates. And 20+ solid years of uninterrupted Democrat rule."

That's true of Giuliani because he's not running on a Republican platform, and has not reached out to conservatives. If he wins the nomination he will change the Republican Party platform, and make conservative social issues irrelevant.

It isn't true of Romney. He's running on a pro-life conservative platform, compatible with the GOP platform and he's reached out to conservatives, many of whom have a prominent role in his campaign and will have a prominent role in a Romney administration. Big difference.

I suggest you do some more thinkin' on it. : )

[Antoninus]

It isn't true of Romney. He's running on a pro-life conservative platform, compatible with the GOP platform and he's reached out to conservatives, many of whom have a prominent role in his campaign and will have a prominent role in a Romney administration. Big difference.

It's really not that big a difference. Romney will do it on the sly, while pretending to pat conservatives on the head--much as Bush has done. Meanwhile, we'll see continued attrition of the so-con wing of the party in leadership and elected office and a steady elevation of "moderates" that more resemble the pre-epiphany Romney than Ronald Reagan. Then, in 2016, they'll be ready to make another play like they're doing this year for outright control and marginalization of the evangelicals and so-cons.

I suggest you do some more thinkin' on it. : )

As should be clear, I have already given the subject more thought than it deserves. My conclusion is that Rudy would be the worst thing that could happen to the GOP--followed closely by Romney.

If either of those guys is the nominee, it will be a Republican bloodbath on election night.