[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.  ;)

[Hemingway's Ghost]

We've got to face facts, though: partisanship is strangling this country. Both sides are guilty . . . look at the latest example: Finally, the economy is picking up a touch and the Democrats can't bring themselves to admit that Bush's tax cuts might've played a part in it. Who the hell does that help?

[rdb3]

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. ;)

Okay, Seinfeld! ;-)