Via Funkypundit:
According to the “experts,” Rudy has no shot in the GOP primary because he’s not a bible-humping whack-job. I think that’s missing the cathedral for the cobblestones. While Rudy is left of right on “God, guns and gays,” to borrow the popular formulation, he’s not flamboyantly so. While sympathetic to gay-rights arguments, for instance, he’s hardly the sort of rapid cultural warrior threatening to ensure every American attend at least one gay nuptials. Simply being left alone to live according to their personal moral code — that’s all so-called values voters really want.
Notice on the list above how two of the top three candidates are not currently politicians [the poll he's referencing can be seen at the link above, the top three candidates are Giuliani, McCain and Gingrich]. The other, McCain, casts himself as a “maverick” who cuts against the political grain.
Mitt Romney serves as an example of the converse. A pro-lifer who turned pro-choice in time for a run for office in Massachusetts only to later tack back toward pro-life in time for a run at national office, Romney won’t find much a reception with culturally conservative audiences should they feel they’re merely being pandered to. An elected representative is only as good as his word, and Romney’s is roughly the current market value for that of your average American politician — near worthless.
And from NRO:
With John McCain garnering the closest margin [to Giuliani], the fact is that it appears nearly 7 in 10 Republicans polled are going for either McCain or Giuliani, who (according to social conservative leaders) are BOTH unacceptable. That’s not going to fly. Absent a self-destruction, one or the other of these guys is going to be the nominee.
Related posts:
- A Florida prediction
- Video: Rudy vs Ron Paul at Republican Debate
- Reactions to Bhutto assassination
- Romney easily wins Maine Caucus
- Rudy Giuliani’s ad in the NY Times
- Video: Florida Republican Debate Highlights
- Video: Rush offers a glimmer of hope
- Savage Mulling the Presidency
- Mitt Romney takes Michigan
- Do or die on Super Tuesday
