Moderate Re-Set

The Denver Post has an interesting article today about Republican Colorado gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis, arguing that he has become more conservative over time.  In working with and watching McInnis' congressional office in the 1990s, I found him to be a thoughtful legislator who listened to his district, and was a practical moderate in the Western tradition.  My question:  will the conservative mood of the country and the West re-set the moderate line a little further to the right?