The advantage of the Republican top tier

Michael Graham:

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Here’s one measure: John McCain has been in the U.S. Senate longer than Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards combined.
Obama has never run for office outside liberal Illinois, and Hillary Clinton had to leave Little Rock for Chappaqua to find a winnable Senate seat. Meanwhile Mitt Romney - a member of both the Republican Party and a religious group best known for its history of polygamy - was elected governor of the bluest state in America.
And then there’s Giuliani.
Set aside Rudy’s two wins in liberal New York City. Set aside his inspiring performance as mayor on and after 9/11. Set aside the fact that he’s literally on a first-name basis with every voter in America.
Set all that aside, and still this fact remains: If there is another serious, successful terrorist attack between now and the national conventions, the only question about 2008 will be whether the Democrats nominate Giuliani, too.
Again and again Tuesday night, Rudy Giuliani showed that on the big issues (not the “creation/abortion” obsessions of Wolf Blitzer), he “gets it.” He knows that America’s top three issues are national security, national security and national security, followed by illegal immigration, which is also a national security issue.

Is he pro-choice? Is he pro-gay? Who cares? He’s pro-kick-terrorist-butt, and he’s tough enough to do it.

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And if he stumbles, if McCain melts down, if Romney flip-flops into oblivion, what then?
The Republicans always have their movie star.

Right now I think Giuliani is still the top choice, not just because of his stance on national security, but also because he is fearless in attacking the Democrats on the issue. There is no retreat in him. He is not only willing to fight the enemy, but he effectively opposes the Democrats plan of retreat and surrender. I think Romney is a very effective politician and can be an attractive candidate. McCain is strong on the war, but the immigration issue is going to hurt him and probably deny him the nomination. While Fred Thompson is a likable guy, he needs to show his toughness on the political stage at some point. I do think a Giuliani-Thompson ticket would be a real winner.