If you listen to some on the Right, George W. Bush is a liberal in Republican clothing. If you listen to some of the Left, he is the most reactionary president in the history of the United States. What gives? I think the key is the variance of George W. Bush's policy prescriptions and beliefs. The mean of George W. Bush's political positions might put him somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum, but he tends to espouse positions comfortably on both the Left & the Right (thanks to his tendency to follow his "gut" and stick to this decisions). In contrast, George H. W. Bush, the current president's father, probably fell in the middle of the political spectrum by espousing mostly moderate policies, so he did not suffer from attacks in the same way from both flanks (though moderation in itself draws a fair amount of fire).

Update: Yeah, you're all right, I'm wrong. Sorry :)