Rudy Leads the Right

Giuliani leading among social conservatives in a new poll---44% think he's the most electable and 30% give him their support. More from The Politico:

With the primaries a half year away, the pushback within evangelical leadership may still trickle down to the grassroots. But thirty-one percent of social conservatives have given the 2008 presidential candidates "a lot" of thought. Only 23 percent of other Republicans have given the race the same level of scrutiny.

Giuliani has tried to appeal to social conservatives, embracing their agenda by pledging to appoint "strict constructionists" to the Supreme Court, using Justices John G. Roberts Jr. and Samuel A. Alito Jr. as examples. Conservatives expect "strict constructionists" to determine that the Constitution does not mandate abortion rights.

But, like Dwight Eisenhower's in 1952, Giuliani's national security stature after the Sept. 11 attacks more likely explains his continued popularity within the religious right, whose voters have long held hawkish positions on the issue.

I think that's right.

It's all still in play, though conservatives don't trust McCain on social or even tax issues. Romney leads in Iowa, and Thompson is still in the wings.

Here's my initial take on Rudy. And here. I haven't really changed my mind.

UPDATE: Giuliani on the campaign trail. HT RCP Blog. The NY Times says he trying to soften his edges, but he sticks to his message. In response to the question, "Why do they hate us?":

Rudolph William Louis Giuliani III’s eyes pop wide. His eyebrows rise. He is blinking rapidly. For veteran Rudy watchers, all signs point to a rhetorical lunge for this woman’s jugular.

Except he pauses and looks down at his feet and looks up again and — smiles.

“Ma’am, I really respectfully disagree,” the former mayor tells her. “Maybe I’ll answer your question with a question. Respectfully, again, I don’t think you understand the nature of the threat.” [snip]

“They hate you,” he says of the Islamic terrorists, bringing his hands up to his chest. “They don’t want you to be in this college, or you, or you — —.”

Mr. Giuliani wheels around and points toward another middle-aged woman in the front row, who looks momentarily startled. “And you can’t wear that outfit because you’re showing your arms.”

“This is reality, ma’am,” he continues, his voice streaked with just a touch of exasperation. “This isn’t me making it up. I saw reality after 9/11. You’ve got to clear your head.”

His answer meets with sustained applause.

UPDATE: New Rasmussen poll, via RCP shows Romney edging McCain.