[maryz]

and they are afraid that if someone controversial is at the top of the ticket that the congress might be in jeopardy too.

And it doesn't occur to them that if someone who -- at best -- doesn't "excite the base" is at the top of the ticket, conservative turnout might be depressed?

[TexasFreeper2009]

apparently not.

there seems to be a shared wisdom within the inner circles of government and the press that only moderates can win...

even though moderates never win.