Is beating Hillary Clinton the only qualification now needed to run for President? Rudy Giuliani seems to think so.

Republican strategists attribute his staying power in no small part to his central argument to GOP voters desperate for victory next fall: He can win against a Democrat — and one in particular.

"I'm the only Republican candidate who can beat Hillary Clinton," Giuliani often says.

I'm so weary of hearing that repetition. As a Republican, I don't want Hillary Clinton as president, but I am tired of people pounding the Hillary-fear drum. The only convincing argument anyone can make to me to vote for Rudy is that we have some Supreme Court Justices waiting to retire soon and we can't run the risk of an appointment to the bench by Clinton. While it is a powerful argument, it is still the ONLY ONE. And I'm still not convinced.

Giuliani is a thrice-married candidate from the liberal bastion of New York who supports abortion and gay rights, and has a past record of backing gun control measures. All that may prove a tough sell for conservative primary voters.

So, he's asking them to overlook what he doesn't offer — right-leaning views on cultural issues they care about — for what he says he does offer: the best opportunity for Republicans to thwart another Clinton presidency.

Giuliani has a big bulls-eye on his forehead and the Democrats are reaching in their quivers for the arrow.

Giuliani would have his share of vulnerabilities as a general election candidate, not the least of which is his personal life.

In that sense, Giuliani as the GOP nominee could actually end up being the Democrats' greatest gift.

We shouldn't wrap up the present too quickly. I'm not anxious to put a big, red bow on him yet. Maybe it would be better to let the gift be a big surprise.