[Strategerist]

Republican candidates don't win by focusing on the moderate Republicans and Dems. If they did, McCain was a shoe-in. Republicans win when the Republican base turns out. Every moderate Republican and Dem I know LOVED John McCain. They all voted for Obama.

If a more conservative Republican had been the nominee in 2008, he would have been beaten even more badly.

The idea that there's some sort of Republican base that never ever even bothers to vote unless the perfect "True Conservative" is running that EXCEEDS the size of the moderate/independent voter base is an absolute fantasy.

[JediJones]

If a more conservative Republican had been the nominee in 2008, he would have been beaten even more badly.

That's ridiculous. I don't want to say traitorous, but if your confidence in conservatism is that low, you're probably well on your way to leaving us for DU by the end of next year.