Yep, Rudy’s a bit of a thug, but Mitt is oily.
Best thing now is for a flare in support for Rudy. Rudy at least was wildly more successful as mayor of NYC than Romney was as governor of MA. Best of all worlds might well be a brokered convention, and that best happens if Rudy is at the table, while McCain is stalled. I don’t vote until Super Duperdom, but I think I’m leaning in Rudy’s direction about now.
If Rudy could win Florida, that almost knocks McCains momentum out going into Super Tuesday, and it would be down to a Mitt vs Rudy race. But if McCain beats Rudy in Florida, that propels him into the front runner status with those big states favoring him. I think the only way to get McCain from being the nominee is to take him out in Florida.
Mitt fans will say he should win Florida, and that might be true, but then that still leaves him vs McCain, and McCain has much more strength than Rudy does right now. So if Mitt fans want an easier opponent, sooner, get rid of McCain now, don't wait for later, and hope he fades, because he won't.
Having said that, if Rudy is out of the race by the time I vote, I will probably vote for McCain.