Bull. Republicans win when they run as conservatives. They lose when they run as wishy-washy Democrat-lite moderates.
In 2008, this will be more true than ever, as the public has (and rightfully so) full disgust at both parties. It's going to take someone with conviction to bring voters around, and moderates don't have conviction.
What we need is a real conservative, who can communicate conservative values in a non-threatening common sense way.
That man in 1980 was Ronald Reagan. In 2008, it will be Fred Thompson.