It is probably way too early to look forward to the '08 elections.  But just surveying the likely GOP candidates frightens me a bit.  Rudy is quite simply, too socially liberal to win the base's vote.  McCain is, well, McCain.  The rest are okay to good, but none of them terribly great.  With Hilary up the pike, we may very well need someone great.  Mike Pence, although he has never really expressed any great interest in the presidency, is one of the most articulate spokesman for conservative values.  This, from the Spectator...

Pence is a deeply religious conservative but makes his political philosophy grounded in individual liberty:

"Say it this way: We're stuck with Mike Pence. He talked a lot about liberty this morning and barely mentioned the federal marriage amendment. Maybe he'll turn out to be good enough for us and better than that for the country. At least we can hope so." (Spectator)

Yes, it's still early.  But don't overlook the dashing congressman from Indiana.