[SRISER]

It is too simple. There is a strategy involved in politics. After being in D.C. for while you become sensitive to this kind of stuff. Everything is done for a reason and neither party is myoptic. They always are thinking about two election cycles ahead. If you can't win against the incumbent, why sacrifice your top dog (presumably Hillary)? Offer some lesser candidate and concentrate on a time frame when you have a much better chance. In the mean time you work on the Senate/House seats, work on your message and groom your candidates.

You will probably see Giuliani run for something, probably governor of NY or a Senate seat. This sets him up with Big Government experience since he only has mayoral experience.

I don't think the Dems have any trouble getting their message out at all. Maybe the issue is that Americans just don't like the message? Conservatives at the grass roots level tend to be less likely to protest, or march or make a lot of noise. They just vote.