One wonders if seismologists might like to rename the Richter scale — which measures the power of earthquakes — to the Giuliani scale, because the former New York City mayor is shaking up the political landscape 

Mr. Giuliani may not be the Rev. James Dobson’s favorite candidate, nor a bosom buddy of the NRA, but any man who is disliked by the former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union is not all bad. The former NYCLU director, Norman Siegel, said he would do everything in his power to stop a Giuliani victory. Money can’t buy an endorsement like that.

Almost as good — and even more influential in the South — is this week’s endorsement of the former New York City mayor by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Even though Mr. Giuliani is ahead in some national polls, some GOP members wondered if he would run well in the South, home to solid religious right conservatives. But few public officials are more solid in faith and policies than the current Texas GOP governor.

Gov. Perry said he finalized his choice after meeting personally with Mr. Giuliani, where they discussed not only areas of agreement, but also points of disagreement. One of those areas of disagreements is abortion. Gov. Perry is pro-life, but he still gave his blessing to Mr. Giuliani. (So much for the party of alleged intolerance and rigidity.)

Of course, the Rev. Dobson threatened to start a third-party if Mr. Giuliani is the GOP nominee. The Focus on the Family director objected to the former mayor’s pro-choice views. But Mr. Giuliani has promised to appoint conservative judges to the federal bench, highly-qualified men in the mode of John Roberts and Samuel Alito. If Rev. Dobson wants reasonable anti-abortion laws upheld — as well as the Constitution protected — that’s all he can ask for.

Alleged experts predicted the former New York mayor would go down in flames when the GOP’s strong religious rightwing discovered his liberal social views. His competitive stance has puzzled, angered and mystified members of both parties. Whether you agree with him, he has shaken up both major political parties.

With Gov. Perry’s endorsement, the ground is rumbling even more.