Check your rudders at the door

Now to the first Republican debate. These candidates are going to have a much harder go of it than the Democrats. It's as if the Democrats were issued shotguns and the Republicans .22 caliber pistols. You'll need serious marksman on the Republican side to win.
It reminds me of Edward James Olmos in the movie "Selena" explaining how hard it is to be Mexican/American. He said, "We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time! It's exhausting!"
On some issues the tolerances on the Republican side are measured in microns.
Take abortion, Republican candidates have to nail it and so far Giuliani and Romney still look tentative. Not only have they disenchanted conservatives, they have opened themselves up to criticism for disingenuous flip-flopping.
Romney was particularly foolish in seeking cover from other abortion mind changers like Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Henry Hide. Instead of bringing himself up he brought them down.
This and John McCain beating up George W. Bush for mismanaging the war seemed to seriously violate Ronald Reagan's famous and critical republican rule; never speak ill of a fellow Republican. And I'd add, certainly not in his library in front of his wife.
The Republicans always look like they're looking for someone to marry their daughter instead of a person that may actually exist. Setting the bar so high makes their candidates have to be something their not and look like they checked their rudders at the door.