Can Rudy convert the Christian Right?

Maybe it's the right place for a Biblical metaphor: At this weekend's gathering of Christian conservatives, the highlight was something right out of Daniel entering the lion's den, only this Daniel is named Rudy.

Giuliani, who leads all Republicans in the seriously premature presidential polling despite liberal views on abortion and gay rights, came to the Family Research Council's "values voters" summit to argue that he was, if not their natural ally, more friend than foe.

"You have nothing to fear from me," he said.

But the question is, does Giuliani have something to fear from them? Ever since Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign, evangelicals - nearly a fourth of the total electorate - have formed a key component of the GOP base, delivering two-thirds of their votes to GOP Presidential candidates, all of whom have embraced the anti-abortion cause. A Republican nominee must have their backing to win the White House.

But what could a pro-choice, pro-gay rights former Mayor of New York possibly say here that would lead these ardent social conservatives to go with him? Maybe it's less what he says that who he is … and isn't?

Yes, he backed the ban on partial-birth abortions, promised to appoint Supreme Court justices like conservative icons Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas (both committed to overturning Roe v. Wade), and hit tried-and-tested grace notes for the faithful:

"The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion," was one.