Before you conclude this is far-fetched, think back to Karl Rove's strategy in 2004 to move right with strident social conservatism on abortion and same-sex marriage, steep tax cuts and hawkish policies in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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He also gave to the right the concept of compassionate conservatism: the idea that instead of simply pushing for less government, the Republicans should offer constructive proposals for what should take its place.

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In any event, the fiscal conservatism implied by National's centre-right ideology means that the new government will seek to present most of its policy measures as having a long-term benefit for productivity and competitiveness.

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At a minimum, the Senator's formidable intellect and committed conservatism should make him a contender in his own right -- for the position of Secretary of State or Defense in a Republican administration headed by whichever candidate has the good political and policy sense to embrace the Wallop vision and, thereby, to improve his chances of winning the White House.

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But the bewildering thing is Mr Blair's candour in acknowledging that so much of this conservatism is to be found on the left rather than the right.

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The current right-wing resurgence has more to do with the inner dynamics of American conservatism in the past half century.

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The Tea Party captured a fragment of the American psyche and the right very skillfully used that momentum to tell a new story about deficits and fiscal conservatism.

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Maybe the grassroots right and the country club crowd can coalesce around a candidate who does seem to combine conservatism, charisma and competence.

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