Mike Huckabee’s comments about Giuliani’s abortion stance were actually tougher than Sam Brownback’s in the first debate, but the respectful tone both men struck was notable. If Giuliani is the nominee, it would make sense for him to pick a strong social conservative as his running mate. At the very least, it would make social conservatives more confident that a President Giuliani would not remake the GOP in his socially liberal image.

As Quin notes, Huckabee has his problems, however. Brownback is a bit more conservative across the board, helping Giuliani on every front except for immigration. But Brownback may look too much like a religious right figure, as opposed to a moderate social conservative, for many swing voters otherwise inclined to vote for Giuliani.