I think they'll like his image as being tough on terrorism, and they may choose electability over a better ideological fit considering that the Democrats might nominate the incarnation of Satan as their candidate.

Also known as the not-Hillary strategy. I'm hoping, whoever the nominee is on either side, that it works exactly as well for the repubs as the not-Bush strategy the dems had in 2004.

I remember someone (Nilly?) saying that the US paid more attention to the religion of its leaders than Israel does.

In Israel, it would be how observant the leader is, not what religion. They'll never have a non-Jewish prime minister.

But could, say, a Christian or Muslim be elected to public office in Israel? Has one?

I know there are Arab Knesset members, but I don't know if they are Muslims. I also don't know if there are Christians in the Knesset but there could be if they had enough votes.

But could, say, a Christian or Muslim be elected to public office in Israel? Has one?

I think it's more likely for an avowed atheist/agnostic.

Which is more flexible than the US, which seems to be all about one sort of one religion. It seems ironic, but I guess that Israel having more of a sense of ethnic unity than many other countries out there juggles their priorities some.

But could, say, a Christian or Muslim be elected to public office in Israel? Has one?

Past and present Arab members of the Knesset: [link]

Yeah but Rudy really really hates liberals. A lot. And that seems to be the core religion of a lot of Christians. (I don't say "so-called Christians" because as a non-Christian, I don't feel qualified to judge who is and is not a Christian.)

Happy Birthday Sumi.

I just had lunch after about an hour and half of being totally hangry and ready to kill anyone who looked at me. I still feel a little testy. I think I have a hangryover

Gar, I'd say "self-proclaimed holier-than-though Christians" in that case.

It disambiguates.

Or "a certain kind of Christian Conservatives."

So the people who think that a Jewish person shouldn't be president because of their Jewishness are people we should care about and listen to rather than say, telling them, "Y'all are nuts!"

I think it is more the attitude of "I'm going to vote for someone who shares my values" rather than "I'm not going to vote for a Jew". Maybe it boils down to the same thing, but the first one sounds more reasonable. I think the crazy part is the assumption of a direct correlation between religious affiliation and values.

Yeah but Rudy really really hates liberals.

Technically, he hates black people. And Hillary.

I do wonder how much of the GOP base is more than dimly aware that Rudy Guliani did not spring fully formed from the head of the Statue of Liberty on September 12, 2001.