There is a lot of buzz about a straw poll on some other blog (I admit, it is better than mine, but I can't afford to hire sophisticated polling services). With many thousands of votes cast, Giuliani is looking good. Many on the right speculate that Giuliani, a more socially liberal politician, could fail to energize the conservative GOP base. But I will stand up and say outright: if Giuliani is our nominee, I will do everything in my power to help elect him.
Giuliani is NOT my first (or second or third) choice. But he could be worse: he could be Hillary Clinton.
If Giuliani runs and wins, he will carry Congress. Odds are that a win in the White House will lead to a more conservative, more Republican, House and Senate. And the House and Senate make the laws in this country. That means a conservative agenda.
It won't matter if Giuliani is too pro-choice (or whatever complaints the hard-right might have) as long as Congress continues to move right. It won't matter if Giuliani isn't the most NRA-friendly Republican, because as long as Congress stays NRA-friendly, there will be no new assault weapons ban. The only possible fear is that Giuliani may have the chance to name at least one more Supreme Court Justice. But as long as Giuliani promises to nominate Justices who look first to the Constitution, he'll do well enough.
Republicans should vote their conservative conscious in the primary and try to nominate the best person for the job. But if, after the primaries are over, someone like Giuliani is the nominee, then the far-right needs to buck up and support him.
The alternative will be a return to 1992.
I can't imagine any Republican winning the Presidential nomination who would be worse than that scenario. I mean, it's not like there's any chance of John McCain getting the nod...
Rudy's dead in the water. Too much baggage. Americans won't vote for a three times divorced adulterer.
Plus, a Republican from NYC? you may as well vote for Kerry.
My $0.02.
Posted by: SayUncle | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 05:51 AM
I dunno,SayUncle. I'm a social conservative and an evangelical Christian and for my money, Gully's got me convinced.
Posted by: Brian B | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 08:25 AM
I'll vote for the best person for the job in the primaries but I almost never vote for a Republican afterward simply because some liberal (like GW) tends to get nominated. I would rather vote for a true conservative, by voting for the Constitution Party cantidate than vote for a liberal with an R next to their name.
Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting FOR evil.
Posted by: Windaria | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 08:39 AM
Being more of a small 'L' libertarian and fiscal conservative I vote for the lessor of two evils because I am also realistic to know that my vote counts here in Florida. I will vote for any republican nominee ver any democrat now in the mix because I detest the donks trend towards socialism. I like Rudy and will support him for a couple of reasons-one is the job he did in NYC. The other is that many of us are tring to wrest control of the republican party from the Far religious right wing who we feel are as dangerous to the country's freedom and liberty as the far left wing. We have supported the republicans thus far even in spite of the religious right but many more of the out bursts from nuts like Pat Robinson will sour us to the pint we may just not vote or else vote for a third party insuring the donks get the white house.
Posted by: GUYK | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 10:07 AM
'I'll vote for the best person for the job '
Me too but he never runs.
Posted by: SayUncle | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 10:33 AM
Gully - I agree with your arguments, but I think the National Enquirer segment of our press will crucify Rudy, and possibly cost us the White House.
Which is why I'm backing Mitt Romney.
Posted by: Peter Porcupine | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 10:40 AM
I think the Enquirer crowd is more likely to support Rudy and crucify Romney...
Again, Rudy is NOT my primary choice. But if he ends up being our nominee, he will have my full undying support against Shrillary the Hildebeast. Anyone voting 3rd party may think he can sleep better for voting his conscience--but if your failure to rally around the best candidate to BEAT HRC results in another Clinton White House, none of us will sleep better.
Posted by: Gullyborg | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 01:34 PM
ABSOLUTELY!
Gully - we can argue the top of the ticket later....:)
Posted by: Peter Porcupine | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 05:39 PM
I want to see Romney challenge either Kennedy or Kerry for the Senate and win, rather than run for President. I think he'd do more for the greater good that way, because while there are many potential candidates who could win the White House for the GOP, there aren't many people who have a snowballs chance of taking down one of the big K's.
Posted by: Gullyborg | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 05:52 PM
Guy named Scott Allen has declared against Kennedy in '06, and convenience store millionaire Christy Mihos has told Boston Magazine he's running against Kerry in '08 (BTW - did you know that Mass. doesn't let you run for two offices? So Kerry will have to choose between White House and Senate - can't pull a Lieberman)
Posted by: Peter Porcupine | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 09:51 PM
Neither one can beat a K. And no way Kerry is running again--he'll do some polling and some focus groups, find out he has ZERO chance of winning the primary, and stay home in his safe Senate seat.
Posted by: Gullyborg | Wednesday, 24 August 2005 at 10:54 PM