The problem with moderate repubes in presidential elections is that the primaries pull candidates to the hard right. You can't get the nomination without appealing to the white evangelical base. McCain reluctantly got their vote, but the enthusiasm seemed to be lacking.
Rudy, Mitt, and Mccain were all liberals in their day.
They all 'acted' neocon in 2007, but everyone knew the score. They were libs who converted because they liked to capitalize on fear/terror card. high tax, big govt, blow money, gun grabbing, illegal lovin' liberals, they were.
Crist is Jeb Jr and loved around FL, an obama state.