Regarding the Republican race, for many months commentators have said that when the Republican base learns the facts about Rudy Giuliani’s personal life (an annulled first marriage, a messy divorce, then a third marriage) and views on social issues (for abortion rights, gay rights and gun control, in each case with limits), support for him will evaporate. But such commentary is becoming self-refuting. The insistent reiteration of it during Giuliani’s coast-to-coast campaigning is telling activist Republicans — the sort of people who read political commentary — the facts about Giuliani. And so far those facts are not causing a recoil from him: According to the USA Today/Gallup Poll, his lead over John McCain has risen from 31-27 in November to 40-24 today.
Bingo. Giuliani could still lose. But the idea that his support is built on ignorance of his views is simply counter-factual. This is a McCain-Giuliani race. With Giuliani as the frontrunner. And Romney’s not even in the rear-view mirror.
Yet Will is so consecending when it comes to Ron Paul. Oh well.
Ryan,
do you favor Guliani on Ron Paul because he is more likely to be elected or do you have other reasons?