I definitely agree that this is the most important issue. It's one reason I've been (mostly) keen on Rudy. I'm still interested in possibly supporting him, and I'm still defending him against some of the stupider raps against him on FReep. But there are certain objections against Rudy that have to be taken seriously. After all, we don't have any particular reason to think that Romney or Newt would be weaker on terror than Rudy. They could be just as good, conceivably better.
My daughter's group of twenty somethings lost a schoolmate in the WTC, they saw Rudy as strong and determined.
They don't want to think that their peers or their parents will be caught in another attack.
Rudy is the face of comfort during that terrible terrible day.
My son, on the other hand, is a bit older, and his peers like the strength that Rudy presented in the aftermath. Needless to say, the media proclaiming his America's Mayor and making him Man of the Year has cemented their favorable impression of the man.
That he took part in a fundraiser and dressed as woman means absolutely nothing to these modern adults.