'The best we can do'

Sure, Rudy Giuliani is looking like the GOP's favorite son lately, but I wouldn't call it love. Conservatives aren't exactly looking at him through rose-colored glasses. It's more like beer goggles.

But even as Mr. Giuliani scored a symbolic victory with his strong showing at the conference, it was clear that the feelings toward him weren’t so much enthusiasm as resignation. Consistent with a deep distrust of the twice-divorced former mayor among the country’s most prominent social conservatives, activist after activist at the conference lamented that there were just no good options this year, and that Mr. Giuliani simply looked like the most likely winner in an election against Hillary Clinton.

“He’s the only one that can beat her,” said one West Coast radio host, nursing a scotch in the hotel bar after the Norquist party dissolved. “He’s not perfect, but he’s the best we can do.”

Sounds like a campaign slogan to me.