Curse of the Reptile

Well the Republican candidates favoured by myself and my fellow contributor have both now taken their final bows - because there really is no way back for Rudy Giuliani after Florida - and I think it's fair to say that, while we were obviously both wrong in our choices, we were equally right in our reasons not to support each other's candidate. Thompson was too lazy and too unformed a candidate ever to be successful. Giuliani was incapable of attracting his party's base as well as independents. What both of them have been, though, is extremely gracious in defeat. Thompson and Giuliani both gave speeches after their hopes had been dashed that displayed none of the bitterness and disappointment that they must have been feeling.

So, the question is, what now for the Republicans? McCain looks like the runaway front-runner after his victories in Florida and South Carolina - barring a miracle he must surely clinch his spot next week on Super-Tuesday. That said, of course, Giuliani was the front-runner until a few weeks ago - things can change pretty smartly. McCain is, however, so much better a candidate than Mitt Romney (let alone Mike Huckabee, who is the sort of American that the British really don't understand) that he will surely get the nomination. As to who his opponent will be? He'll probably be hoping it's Hillary - she looks eminently more beatable.