The Rove Republicans are practicing Clinton-esque unprincipled leadership, it didn't work for the Democrats and it will not work for the Republicans.
By unprincipled leadership I mean to describe how they so easily act "conservative" on one issue and then "liberal" on the next.
This behaviour is driven by pure political expediency.
OK you tell me. A moderate republican, Bush, eeked out a 523 vote win in Florida over the most socialist democrat of our time. This country is split right down the middle politically and every top issue the voters say is important is big government spending and involvement. What red meat conservative is there that is going to win in that environment?