The names that keep coming up post-election are McCain, Rudy, and Romney. Newt’s maybe a distant fourth, though he looked better before the election than he does now, as everyone now remembers how Newt seems unelectable, and electability is paramount.

Romney is coming up a lot because a) he’s the only all-around conservative left in the field and b) he’s just now being noticed by many observers. Those of us who have been watching him for awhile have to question his potency post-election. Again, if there were still a GOP Congress to check President Hillary, he might be a worthwhile risk, especially if the alternative is McCain. But he’s still very green, and he’s only won one statewide race, and it’s hard to see Republicans taking such a great risk by nominating him.

I think it’s basically down to Rudy or McCain. Rudy has the edge right now, because Republicans love him, and McCain they can’t stand. McCain’s only shot against Giuliani is to make the race about Rudy’s past positions and personal life, and even then he has to assume that such a smear campaign won’t backfire. I think Rudy will be the nominee, though I’d have to say McCain’s moved into second place, while before the election I probably would’ve put Mitt in second.

Can Romney win in a party dominated by evangelical Christians?

Can Giuliani the Drag Queen win in a party built on the pillars of anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage policy?

Will the entire conservative blogosphere have their heads explode if McCain wins the nomination?

For that reason, I’d put my money on a Republican candidate who is willing to work with a Democratic Congress, instead of declaring total war on it.

I’d put my money on Hagel or Bloomberg.