Let's see if I understand this (keeping in mind that my understanding of American psychology is based on movies, television, and randos on the internet, and that I have been having some difficulty following this conversation.)
Americans despise both weakness, and the appearance of weakness.
Americans hate to lose, and love to win; and it isn't even enough to win, the other side must lose.
A candidate who advocates compromise, and says things like "let's everybody get along", is not likely to be received well, regardless of their actual political alignment or platform, because a willingness to compromise, or to meet the other side half-way, will be perceived as weakness, or as letting the other guys "win".
It isn't enough for the successful candidate to present a platform that a majority of the population can see as being to their benefit, the candidate must also demonstrate (the appearance of) strength, conviction, and an unwillingness to compromise. This may even matter more than the political alignment of the candidate. Bonus points if the candidate promises to "stick it to The Man" (whether the candidate is in bed with The Man or not).