Rudy assembled an impressive lineup of legal advisors, and those who were able to attend the press conference were not sparing in their praise of Rudy.

Estrada: “Rudy is a leader… He has made clear he appreciates the quality of justices like Roberts and Alito and that those are the models he’s looking for [in Supreme Court justices].”

Mahoney: “We [Republicans] have a strong field, and this was not an easy choice… Those of us who were in New York during those years know what Rudy did in New York was nothing short of miraculous… And I think he can win.”

One reporter asked if the notably pro-life figures on the committee had any problem with Rudy refusing to say he would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned. Olsen and Estrada said they had no problems, with Olsen adding, “The President is not going to change Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court is going to change or decide to not change Roe v. Wade… Rudy has made clear that while he does not have a litmus test, he will appoint strict constructionist judges.”

It’s not exactly shocking that a former federal prosecutor like Rudy can collect an impressive array of conservative legal minds to back him. But the lineup and theme made me think about the unusual similar “brand identity” that Rudy shares with likely rival Fred Thompson.

They’re both lawyers, both prosecutors. (Both appeared on Law & Order, one a lot more than the other, obviously.) Both used their position to paint themselves as tough guys, but not in the vein of Ah-nuld or war hero McCain; their public personas are smart tough guys – dogged, unflappable, no-BS kinda butt-kickers. America has always loved its cops and tales of cops and robbers, but the Law & Order series, along with other recent legal dramas, have celebrated a slightly different, more cerebral hero, the prosecutor who goes out and persuades juries to lock up the bad guys for a long time, and outwits the slick defense attorneys.

I had been talking with a strategist with neither the Rudy nor FDT campaigns, and he had mentioned his theory on running mates. This strategist said tickets no longer need geographic or ideological balance; instead, what mattered was that the strengths of the vice-presidential nominee echo the strengths of the presidential nominee. The choice, he said, says, ‘The qualities that are so great about me are so important to the job of president, that I want the man (or woman) who is a heartbeat away from the presidency to have the same strengths.’

I’m sure either man would insist they have no interest in the number two spot, particularly at this early juncture. But I wonder if either one would be seen as reinforcing the strengths of the other.