Republicans Eating Their Own

Time 2001:  Rudy Giuliani

As I have mentioned before, I am quite certain mainstream elements of the Republican party don’t want to see Sarah Palin gaining any more power than she already has. Palin at the helm means sure destruction on the path towards 2012. And not just for White House aspirations, but for retaining a big majority in the House, and a possible takeover of the Senate.  But, she sure is convenient to have around. A great foil for those seeking the nomination as they portray themselves the more reasonable choice -- whatever that might mean for each individual candidate.  Someone to use and abuse, to their own making.

Enter former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, stage left:

CNN) - Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said he's more likely to run for president if former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin runs.

In an interview on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight," Giuliani, who dropped out of the 2008 Republican presidential primary, said running against Palin for the 2012 GOP nomination would show him as a moderate Republican.

"The more Republicans in which I can show a contrast, probably the better chance, the better chance that I have," Giuliani told CNN's Piers Morgan in an interview set to air at 9 pm. ET Monday. Portions of the interview will air Friday (tonight) on CNN's "John King, USA" at 7 p.m. ET.

I have no doubt the Mayor of 9/11 wants to RUN for President. I have no doubt he wants to BE President. And watching him position himself against Sarah Palin as he offers himself up in contrast will be very interesting. He won’t be the only Republican candidate taking to this tactic. Each candidate will do it differently, positioning him or herself in some manner as the anti-Palin. Just how they choose to do it will tell us some very interesting things about them as candidates. And if for some reason Palin chooses not to run for the nomination, we will see them all scrabbling to re-make their campaigns, and re-define themselves.