It's ironic that for a party that won the 2004 in large part due to the support of religious conservatives that the main frontrunners for the party's 2008 Presidential nomination all have problems with the Christian right. Romney is accused of flip-flopping, McCain had spoken out against leaders of the Christian right, and Giuliani has maintained his relatively liberal position on social issues. Fred Thompson, who many believed could emerge as the candidate for conservatives who were unhappy with the field, has also been criticized by many of the same people who are less than enthusiastic about him, plus the minor controversey that he once briefly lobbied for a pro-choice group. Leaders in the Christian right are so unhappy with the candidates that some are threatening to endorse a third-party candidate in the 2008 election if they are not satisfied. While this could certainly be an empty threat, meant to force the candidates to show their loyalty more, what if it happened. If Rudy Giuliani, a pro-choice Republican, is nominated, which seems likely at this early stage, it seems possible that it could happen. Would that mean that the election would go to the Democrats? Not neccessarily, Giuliani has moderate appeal, but if the nominee did end up being Rudy Giuliani, would they want the Republicans to lose? I think its possible. Unlike the other candidates, like Mitt Romney, who became anti-abortion, anti-stem cells, and anti-gay marriage just in time for 2008, and John McCain, who made nice with "agent of intolerance" Jerry Falwell, Giuliani has refused to change his positions on these issues, except for emphesizing his personal opposition to abortion (but still believing it should be legal) and therefore, making it clear that he will not be controlled by them. Think about it, if Rudy is nominated, and elected, in a matter of four years the Christian right could lose significant power in the national party. This could bring back the moderates in the party which have been losing power since the 80s. It could possibly split the part into factions, Giuliani's moderates, the religious conservatives, and possibly, if the trend continues over the next few years, a smaller group of Ron Paul/Barry Goldwater libertarians. If Giuliani lost, and say, Hillary Clinton became President, then the Christian conservatives could come back and say "well you needed us, and we won't vote for you if we don't like your candidate". Then they could fire up their base against divisive Hillary Clinton, If you think about it, in the long run, it would work out better for them. But they may also just make him compromise, which they still have the power to do. This was explored on The West Wing, where the Republicans nominated a moderate pro-choice Senator and he was forced to pick a running mate with stong conservative support. The story was criticized as unrealistic at the time but now it seems very possible.