To tell you the truth the moderate republican candidate on the the west wing is more conservative than Bush is. He didn't want to fund education with federal money, he was opposed to increases in medicare, he wan't to balance the budget. They only thing that puts him to the left of bush on any issue is abortion.
It could also mean that more M*A*S*H fans watched the show than LA Law fans.
Alda's Vinick also is superior to Bush on border issues.
That's pretty much how MSM define somebody as a 'moderate' or not. An economic leftist who opposes abortion will not get moderate label. He/she will be called 'anti-abortion' Democrats.