[Cathryn Crawford]

Well, Gary, I agree with you that Bush is more of a centrist. I realize that people will see us calling him a centrist as an "attack" (LOL), but that raises interesting issues, as well.

If people's reaction to a Republican being called a centrist is bad, then why do they elect centrists? Does that negative reaction assume that people want Republicans to be right-of-center (or strict) conservatives? Interesting.

[Dane]

Well, Gary, I agree with you that Bush is more of a centrist. I realize that people will see us calling him a centrist as an "attack" (LOL), but that raises interesting issues, as well

No you are still young, some day when you get into the real world.

To paraphrase Churchill or Lady Thatcher, the same basic quote has been attributed to both.

When you are young and not idealogical you have no heart, when you are 40 and still idealogical you have no head.

Notice everbody, I said "paraphrase".

[gcruse]

Does that negative reaction assume that people want Republicans to be right-of-center (or strict) conservatives?

In modern times, candidates run from the center, then govern from their extremes, for want of a better word. 
Bush seems to have stood that on its head.  He ran on conservative strengths, but governs from the center. 
Maybe that's how you get re-elected, by pulling in the uncommitted who voted against you last time.  Since the country is so evenly split, staying on your own side of the fence might lead to perpetually anemic domestic government, not that there's anything wrong with that.  ;)