How would GW Bush do in this field? Would (and is) he be considered a moderate?

[anvi]

Bush would have done well, and would probably be winning.  By now, against the current field, the 2000 Bush would have taken Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri and Colorado, at least.  He certainly had shortcomings as a candidate, but he did have the rare ability to get broad support among religious conservatives and tow the middle of the line on defense and economic issues.  It's kind of hard to find electoral fault with a candidate who won two terms.  (Well, he didn't really win the first one, but still...)

[anvi]

Yeah, I hear what you're saying, IndependentTX, Bush's 2000 policy agenda would certainly have to be adjusted for today's circumstances.  On the other hand, the TEA Party isn't driving the GOP's wagon this year like they did in 2010.  I'm just saying that, as a candidate, Bush found a way to rhetorically walk on both sides of the fence that runs through the very different contours of the GOP better than any of the prospective nominees out there now.