Take a look at Michelle Malkin’s video chat with Sean Hannity at Hot Air. Both lament the fact that there no longer is a Reagan and wonder if they will ever be able to find one. On purely ideological grounds Giuliani is probably the only one to come close to the Gipper and equally important the only one that will not pander to the socially conservative base in order to get the GOP nomination. Reagan himself was the ultimate pragmatist in these matters and it should be noted that he knew that sustained conservative success went right through the political center and never by staying on the far right fringe. Anyone believing that another 'Roveian pin-down the base strategy' will get the GOP access to the White House in 2008 will relegate that party to the political wilderness.

Ann Coulter’s disgusting performance – which indeed in the end is all about the cash register – is therefore the opportunity for the leading GOP contenders to position themselves for a battle that will take place in America’s political center. So, John McCain did well at CPAC this year.