The GOP will win or lose the 2008 election IN THE PRIMARIES.
One can believe that. But only if you believe in your own clairvoyance. I don’t have that much confidence to believe I’m defeated months before the election. I will fight till Nov ‘08.
your statement was shared by the party faithful in 1996. That is just peachy. However, you are missing the point in political strategy. If the GOP primary produces the same candidate as 1996, one which the core does not care about, the result will be the same. You are trying to fight a perception which Giuliani's own statements continuously reinforce. Pick the issue and Giuliani has made statements which show the distinction between him and hillary is only in dress size. You MIGHT be able to point out a few bits and pieces that make him better, but then again Bob Dole was head and shoulders better than Bill Clinton in 1996. If AFTER the primary you have to explain your candidate, you lost already. Preparation is everything. Primaries count.
Giuliani is not Bob Dole, and Hillary Clinton is not Bill. I don't see any potential Republican candidates that have more chance than Rudy. I see pros and cons with all of them.