[Laissez-faire capitalist]

The GOP saw what happens when you put up a “progressive light” (McCain) against a full-fledged “progressive” (Obama).

You lose.

Why are there some within the GOP who want the GOP to go moderate or moderately liberal?

Abortion.

They want the GOP to be conseravtive on fiscal policy and national security (2 of the 3 legs) but they want to cast aside the 3rd leg (social conservativism).

IT WONT WORK.

Social conservatives will not show up to vote if the GOP keeps putting up RINOS in Senate races, House races and presidential races.

Reagan types and only Reagan types.

[Natural Law]

"The GOP saw what happens when you put up a “progressive light” (McCain) against a full-fledged “progressive” (Obama)"

The American public is collectively wise. Legitimate conservative candidates win when not compromised or sold out by their own party. Those with no moral compass who opt to say what ever they think they need to say to get the most votes are ultimately losers in every sense of the word.

[Redbob]

"Why are there some within the GOP who want the GOP to go moderate or moderately liberal"

Stupidity or complicity - it's one or the other.
Charitably, I would say that in John Cornyn's case, it is the former...

[USNBandit]

Think of the possibilities for Specter's opposition in the election.

"When Arlen Specter saw the prospect of record deficits for the forseeable future he finally found a party he wanted to join....the Democratic Party"