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His will be one of the Republican candidacies that could cause a HUGE chasm in the national Republican party for '08. Chuck Hagel would be another.
I think Giuliani has a lot of flaws that will be pointed out both by his Republican adversaries and by his democratic adversaries:
Issues surrounding his pre-divorce conduct, as Ron mentioned.
Issues concerning ethics at his current business/position: eg, Bernard Kerik; who has been on his client list, and who is using that status to gain/expect influence on Giuliani's thinking on things?
He is such a hothead -- is one of the only public men I can think of who can come across as a shrew.
For all his initial leadership, he did not get the "pork" delivered for NYC, post 9-11.
For all his "closeness" with the republican governor, Giuliani did not get state "pork" delivered for NYC.
He is more a media creation than an actual politician. I think post-W, voters will be looking for more concrete experience. If Giuliani says, "But I've been running a successful business," I think after the "MBA" presidency of W, people will be running away from that kind of thinking.
As Ron says, his moderate/liberal views on abortion, gay rights will hurt him with the red-meat red-staters.
But he would be an invigorating presence on the campaign trail! I am all for keeping the campaign part of the election going right up to the convention wire.
IMHO, the '08 election has a very good chance of spawning a legitimate third-party candidacy. I am betting on some disaffected Republicans.
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