Republicans 2008: why so down?

Kathryn Jean Lopez makes a good point on The Corner--why are Republicans so down on their presidential choices? Polls keep showing this dispiritedness. But I don't see a good reason for it, especially when we focus on the top 3 or 4 or 5 candidates (throw Huckabee in the mix, too). Not only are they "serious", as K-Lo says. But they all have a record of accomplishment in the private sector, as governors, as mayors (look at Giuliani). They're articulate (look at Romney). They're not going to completely separate themselves from President Bush, but they're not going to run as Bush clones, either (nor does the public see them that way--despite all the gloomy forecasts for the GOP over the past several weeks and Bush's low poll numbers, the latest Rasmussen general election poll has Giuliani even with Hillary Clinton). Given the current environment, that's pretty good. One of these guys can win. Believe it. If no Republican believes it, the GOP is sure to lose in 2008.