Why we like Rudy Giuliani

Rich Lowry:

Rudy Giuliani's downfall in the Republican primary fight has been much predicted, but little in evidence. He just got the endorsement of the Christian conservative leader Pat Robertson and has stubbornly stayed atop national polls all year long.

His success has spawned theories about the changing nature of the Republican Party, and how social conservatives have "grown up" in their willingness to accept a pro-choice candidate. The key to Rudy's appeal, though, isn't his heterodoxy, but how the sensibility of his candidacy is in the GOP mainstream running from Ronald Reagan through George W. Bush.

Rather than a break with Bush, Giuliani represents stylistic continuity. The cross-dressing, nonchurch-going, pro-choice New Yorker has more in common with the brush-clearing, evangelical, pro-life West Texan than any of the other Republican candidates. He's an urban cowboy, who tamed New York City with his no-nonsense commitment to law and order.

As a top GOP operative says: "Reagan has provided the stylistic model for Republican leaders ever since he first ran: tough-talking, moral clarity, inspirational rather than tactical in rhetoric, someone who will stand up to dangerous foreign enemies. Bush fits in that model, and so does Rudy. This style and these attributes are as important, if not more important, than particular issue stands to many voters."

At this basic level, Giuliani tugs on Republican heartstrings. There is no substitute in politics for being liked, and Republicans simply like Rudy. Rather than the abrasive personality they were told to expect, voters have seen a candidate with the readiest toothy grin this side of Jimmy Carter or Teddy Roosevelt, and he's the only Republican who has consistently demonstrated a spontaneous sense of humor.

In the breadbasket of modern Republicanism, the South, Giuliani has been surprisingly strong. The South is as much a state of mind as a geographic location, and Giuliani, despite being an ethnic Northeasterner, exemplifies it. He taps into the South's anti-elitist, patriotic, pro-military attitudes more naturally than any candidate besides John McCain.

Giuliani is winning the GOP leadership primary. An October Fox News poll asked whether Giuliani is a "strong and decisive leader 65 percent said "yes," 20 percent "no" - the highest rating of any of the tested national figures. By refusing to check the box on every conservative issue, Giuliani has reinforced the idea that he has exactly the attributes of strength and leadership that conservatives crave.

...

Rudy has also paid his dues to the Republican party over the past seven years. He along with John McCain has done the most work with other Republican candidates to get them elected. Those candidates he helped are unlikely to openly oppose his bid and many of them were in the south where he is supposed to be weak.

Lowry thinks that Republicans cannot win without the social conservatives and he may be right. Rudy has to continue to make the case that these voters have nothing to fear from him and much to fear from Hillary. Because he has shown himself to be likable, at least by conservatives, he has a chance with these voters. That is why his candidacy is not only still viable but is in the lead.

At this point he has an excellent chance to win the nomination. Thompson appears to have peaked before his announcement. While McCain is surging his support can easily transfer to Rudy. Romney has run a pretty smart campaign, but his appeal still looks thin nationally and the ambiguity of his passions sharply contrast with Giuliani's.