Remember when Rudy was a frontrunner?

You know, back before any votes were cast.

Remember when he announced his candidacy and the heads of all of the major news organizations in the United States shouted, “Yahtzee!”

Fresh visions of the huge ratings he had brought them still swam in their heads. He was the golden boy; America’s Mayor from America’s City and living the American Dream- the little golden mayor all dressed up to be President.

Remember when Rudy was a lock for the nomination?

He was the national frontrunner with all of the money and all of the connections. He had the look and he had the attitude. Smart, bold, and heroic; that was Rudy. As they lined up behind him you could virtually hear the neo-conservatives thinking, “Yes! This is what it would be like to elect Dick Cheney, only without the bum heart!”

It was inevitable. Who was going to stop him? The Mormon? McCain the Unstable? Mr. Law and Order? The Minister? Ha! This man had been through 9/11! He spent as much time at Ground Zero as the firefighters! He had reduced crime in New York City by some high but undetermined percentage! He would be the Republican nominee and after that it would be a cakewalk to beat the wicked Hillary Rodham Clinton in a general election.

Remember when Rudy had a chance in this race?

That was before he started talking about foreign policy, the economy, national security, immigration, health care, or any other issue that actually mattered. It was before the American people found out that his response to every single question was comprised of just three numerals.

Remember when Rudy was more than a longshot?

That was before he asked his staff to go without salary. That was when he was supposed to have more than 0 delegates as of January 15th. That was before he placed 6th, 4th, 4th, and 6th in consecutive nominating elections.

That was before today.

As of today, Rudy Giuliani is a fringe candidate.