Rig--

You're right about Iowa (though it has nothing to do with the thread). The reason is obvious also. Something on the order of 40% of the usual Republican caucus vote in Iowa are voters who call themselves Christian conservative. As a Republican running in Iowa, to not appeal to those voters is to write off about 40%.

This is also the reason the Republicans will have big trouble if they pick Giuliani as the nominee--those true believers are also the ones who are willing to man phone banks, canvass, put up signs in their yards, drive people to the polls. etc.--and they won't do any of that for Giuliani--he's too moderate in social views for them.

The question is whether they would do it for McCain--whether having a certified national hero as the nominee--as opposed to yet another draft-dodger (Giuliani)-- would offset his moderate social views enough to make them proud to support him.

But it's just possible this is thread creep.