To fully understand the  importance of centrist Republican candidates in the 2008 elections, it is  important to take a look at the results of this year’s hard fought  Republican primaries and see how these candidates performed in the general  election.  It is in primaries,  after all, where the voters must choose the candidate that best represents  their own positions on the issues, the District at large, and the chances  for victory in November.  Their performance in the fall is, therefore,  a good indication of the types of Republicans

By Christine Todd Whitman and Robert M. Bostock
The Washington Post

Four years ago, in the week after the 2004 presidential election, we were working furiously to put the finishing touches on the book we co-authored, "It's My Party Too: The Battle for the Heart of the GOP and the Future of America."

First, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate President-elect Barack Obama. He conducted a near-flawless campaign, inspired millions and ushered in the largest voter turnout since 1908.  That is democracy at its best, and as a result, I am proud to be an American today.

When the news came that John McCain was poised to nominate a maverick female with executive experience in local government and as a governor to be his vice presidential running mate, I was hopeful.

Click here for a slideshow of images from the 2008 Republican National Convention.  (Images:  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
 

Today on PoliGazette: Pete Abel of The Moderate Voice. Pete will join Jason and me to talk about moderate Republicans like himself and embryonic stem cell research (which is an issue Pete cares greatly about). After Pete we will be joined by Governor Christine Todd Whitman of the Republican Leadership Council and the Whitman Strategy Group.