You’re right. Bush was soft on the illegal alien invasion, an out-of-control spender (the biggest entitlement program since LBJ - prescription drugs) and, before he was stopped by universal public outrage, about to appoint an unqualified friend (Harriet Miers)to the Supreme Court. He never saw a spending bill he didn’t like. He’s one of the main reasons Obama won because he alienated the conservative base and gave the Dems a huge load of ammunition that they’re still using to this very day! Bush was NO conservative.
Bush was quite conservative by banning partial birth abortion, deploying national missile defenses, and cutting taxes.
Had the Public been in the mood for someone even more conservative than Bush back in 2000, Cheney would have been at the top of the ticket instead of at the bottom.
What has happened, however, is that the Public is shifting further to the Right to compensate for 0bama’s rabid Leftism.
0bama wouldn’t be re-elected today...Bush would (if he could win his Primary).