Liberals are going after McCain–is he one of us, is he one of them? For conservatives, wouldn’t it be easier to accept a candidate who se liberalism and conservatism are open, obvious, and distinct? Giuiliani will not surprise you, and will not let you down. I believe his errors are very grave. That is why I didn’t vote for him in 1993. Since then I came to see the virtues of his virtues.

I admire Newt, shortcomings and all. He was a great pre-1994 strategist. No one predicted the House GOP victory, except those who always predicted it (e.g., the Wall Street Journal editorial page). But in wartime, energy in the executive trumps political craft.