Here are a couple of articles/commentaries showing how the political center has some might in the upcoming election.  I've always thought the better political strategy was to target the middle.  This stems from my belief in common sense, centrist approaches to issues.  But, targeting the center makes good electon strategy too.

The Republicans seem to have blundered here in these midterm elections.  I can see the strategy of getting your base out to vote, especially in the last days of the campaign.  But, if you ignore swing voters, then they may just swing the other way.  On the most important issues, in your advertising, with your time and your money, why wouldn't you work to attract the most voters?  Why wouldn't you target the majority, instead of the far right minority?

The Newsweek article is primarily about Harold Ford Jr.  I'm not very excited about him.  He may be a "moderate," but he's backwards.  These days, people seem to lean fiscally conservative and socially liberal.  On many issues, he seems just the opposite.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/10/this_is_the_year_of_the_radica.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15366095/site/newsweek/