JP was liberal - JPII was by *no* means liberal, and followed the same line as Ratzinger - he just was much better PR wise and wrapped his extremely conservative agenda in nice smiles. Just check out his policies regarding women in the Catholic church, or how harshly he dealt with theoligists who didn't follow his line, just to mention a few examples.

Ratzinger was basically selected by JPII to be his successor, precisely because they were on the same line.

I always amazes me how unable people are to look behind the pretty facade.