Social Conservatives Still Backing Giuliani

Of course, it may not last, especially if Fred Thompson jumps in. Still, I think people tend to pigeonhole conservatives as a bunch of narrowminded yahoos who can't look past abortion for the bigger picture.

The bigger picture, of course, is national security and as I've noted several times, without national security and stability, does abortion really matter?

Rudy Giuliani, whose positions on abortion and homosexuality mark him as the most socially liberal Republican presidential candidate in more than a generation, is so far winning the contest for the support of social conservatives, according to a new analysis of recent polls.

Widespread perceptions that Giuliani is the most electable Republican in this year's field are driving his support among social conservatives, according to the analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

If the trend holds, this apparent willingness to support a candidate who fails what were once regarded as litmus-test issues would mark a landmark shift in the political behavior of a constituency that has been a pillar of the modern GOP. Already the shift is spurring sharp debate among prominent Christian conservative leaders, some of whom warn that Giuliani backers are abandoning core principles.

Consider also, if he does indeed win the nomination, who his opponent may be. Are conservatives actually going to vote for Mrs. Clinton or an empty suit like Barack Obama?

I don't think so.

So let the media harp on abortion and gay rights, as they want to torpedo Giuliani any way they can.

Some of us can overlook a few negatives if he's the GOP nominee. When it boils down to a major crisis, who would you rather have a poll-driven ultra-liberal like Mrs. Clinton or the junior senator fromn Illinois in charge?

I doubt it.