From Newsweek....

 

http://www.newsweek.com/id/57616

 

Rudy Giuliani's performance....Now it looks as though he's got a strong chance for the nomination—despite his GOP rivals' best efforts to hammer him for being insufficiently conservative during Sunday night's debate—but would likely fail in November.

 

Giuliani's right-wing positions on Iraq, S-CHIP and the need for anti-abortion Supreme Court justices are all deeply unpopular in Blue States and would be hung around his neck next fall. Meanwhile, a pro-life third-party effort (a greater likelihood whenever Republicans nominate a pro-choice candidate for any major office) would strip away a few crucial points in key states. At a minimum, pro-lifers would stay home.

 

Mitt Romney at first seemed the most Reaganesque character in the Republican field. But he is running a transparently cynical campaign.Romney, born in privilege and cosseted throughout his life by his church and corporate America, has no common touch. And his Mormonism would hurt him in some quarters in a general election.

 

Fred Thompson is not ready for prime time. Unless he gets real good real fast, he would be crushed by any Democrat. He made strides Sunday night—but he's not there yet.

 

John McCain would do better than the other three, but even if he somehow gets the nomination, he feels a bit like Bob Dole in 1996: an amusing war hero with a good heart and lots of friends in the press who is well past his sell-by date and gets pummeled by a Clinton.

But why Huckabee.....

 

Huckabee comes across more hopeful than Giuliani, more believable than Romney, more intelligent than Thompson and fresher than McCain. He would hold the base and capture moderates drawn to his down-home style. His greatest asset is that he alone among the Republicans "speaks American." He connects to his audience with stories and metaphors and a geniality that can't be faked. "I'm conservative but I'm not angry about it," he likes to say, and it's true; his gentle mocking of the intraparty warfare that broke out during the Fox debate—likening it to a "demolition derby"—confirms the point. This was Reagan's secret, and it worked for Huckabee in Arkansas, where he won the votes of independents and Democrats.

 

Even on faith and politics, Mike is easy to like. From afar he seemed extreme because he raised his hand in a debate when the candidates were asked en masse if they believed in intelligent design. But when Bill Maher pressed him to justify that view on his HBO show, Huckabee responded with a nuanced and presentable discussion of the origins of the universe that seemed to pacify even the atheist host.

I think a Huckabee/McCain ticket would be the best bet for the Republicans.

I can't see myself voting for Giuliani.

First let me say that I'd gladly vote for Huckabee before I'd ever vote for Guliani or McCain. But I have trouble seeing Huckabee as the GOP's best hope. I don't think America is ready to elect another Christian politician who speaks American.

I wonder if Newsweek characterizes Hillary's positions on Iraq, S-CHIP, and Supreme Court nominations as "left-wing"?

I think Huckabee will be alot of candidates first choice for VP, especially Guiliani's. Rudy would need someone solid with the southern protestants to keep the rank and file supporting him in the general election and not going the third party route...

IMO, Republicans cannot win with McCain on the ticket. A Rudy/Huckabee ticket is probably the GOP's strongest ticket. If Thompson manages to revive his tardy campaign, a Thompson/Giuliani ticket might be formidable if Rudy would accept the VP slot. If Rudy gets the nomination, he will need a southern "values" candidate to help sell his candidacy to traditional conservatives.

 

McCain will not be on the ticket unless he somehow manages to win the nomination. He is old, has ethical issues of his own, and his positions are the most mistrusted by conservatives.

 

A Romney/Huckabee ticket might also make a strong ticket.

I can't see myself voting for Giuliani.

 

In a primary or the General Election?

I would be thoroughly disappointed if Huckabee sells out his values to be on Rudy's ticket.

 

McCain could draw Dems and Independents. That is why I thought he would be a good VP to Huckabee.

 

I think if Huckabee is on top of the ticket, conservatives won't care about McCain's opinions on matters as they trust Huckabee.

 

I don't think Rudy accepts VP to anyone.

Is it just me or does Thompson look disinterested?

In a primary or the General Election?

 

KY's primary is so late, it probably won't mean much on who you vote there.

 

Rudy G is the Rep candidate and I will be looking 3rd party.

Is it just me or does Thompson look disinterested?

 

Looks like Phil Fulmer to me.

I would be thoroughly disappointed if Huckabee sells out his values to be on Rudy's ticket.

 

McCain could draw Dems and Independents. That is why I thought he would be a good VP to Huckabee.

 

I think if Huckabee is on top of the ticket, conservatives won't care about McCain's opinions on matters as they trust Huckabee.

 

I don't think Rudy accepts VP to anyone.

I think it comes down to whether a person prefers a dishonest "conservative" like McCain or a more honest moderate to liberal like Rudy. Rudy may have shifted to the right on a few issues, but he has not done the wholesale flip-flopping and back stabbing that has been the hallmark of McCain's political career. In a Hillary vs. anyone race, I will vote for McCain. Against a more moderate Democrat (i. e., Richardson), I would probably pull the lever for a third party candidate. I think that I have lots of company among Republicans.

I think it comes down to whether a person prefers a dishonest "conservative" like McCain or a more honest moderate to liberal like Rudy. Rudy may have shifted to the right on a few issues, but he has not done the wholesale flip-flopping and back stabbing that has been the hallmark of McCain's political career. In a Hillary vs. anyone race, I will vote for McCain. Against a more moderate Democrat (i. e., Richardson), I would probably pull the lever for a third party candidate. I think that I have lots of company among Republicans.

 

Again, if a Huckabee gets the nod, than the conservatives you worry about with McCain as VP, won't care. McCain as VP would be totally aimed at the Independents/Democrats and to entice them to come to that camp.

 

Also, McCain and his DC experience goes to address the issue of lack of DC and foreign policy experience of Huckabee.

 

I think the conservatives would be upset with Huckabee if he had Rudy as his VP.

 

I am not sure if anyone else in the Rep field does anything to bolster the candidacy of the next President of the US, Mike Huckabee.:thumb: