Right Wing Is Leaning Rudy-ward

The religious right is lining up behind Rudy Giuliani, Pew tells the Politico, despite the candidate's support for gay rights and abortion. Analysis of recent polls suggests that pragmatic social conservatives are so frightened of a Democrat in the White House they're passing over harder-line hopefuls like McCain, and buying Guiliani's more-electable-than-thou pitch.

Giuliani wins 30% of the social conservative bloc, to McCain's 22% and Romney's 8% in  recent polls. Conservatives have been compromising on principles, one pollster observes, "since the days of Ronald Reagan." Elsewhere in the Rudysphere: The Times reports that the politesse-challenged mayor is adopting a softer tone with voters. (More Rudy Giuliani stories.)