Quote:

Matter-eater Man said:
I have my doubts that Rudy would have a chance of winning the Republican primary though.



In 2008, there's a good chance that national security will remain the number one issue in the Republican primary as voters decide who will give them the best chance of bringing independents back to the fold on this issue. Rudy is the best positioned on this issue.

Furthermore, a viable conservative alternative has not emerged.

McCain, despite his conservative social views, is at least as unpopular if not far more unpopular than Giuliani among grassroots conservatives, for a number of reasons. Mitt Romney has a record of supporting abortion and gun control, even though he's now singing a different tune. Furthermore, he has no experience to speak of on the national security/terrorism front. Newt Gingrich, while popular among conservatives, does not have a realistic chance of winning a general election.

If this were a pre-9/11 primary focused more on domestic issues I'd agree that Giuliani would be in more trouble. But given the very unique circumstances of the 2008 election, and his likely opponents, I would not write off "America's Mayor."