In defense or Orton, I actually think Orton has been better as a face of late. Atleast the moron script writers aren't trying to make him "act" like The Rock backstage anymore.
One problem that the WWE has right now, is they lack top faces within the company. It's not quite as bad right now, but there was a time period where the heels were FAR superior to the faces within the company (like half a year ago or so).
As result - it seems like the WWE have converted their "excellent" heels (who get cheered since they're so good at being heel), into faces. Orton, Cena, Guerrero, Angle (before WM-19), and some others are good example of this.
The point I'm trying to make, is that perhaps Orton is better off staying face.......even if he's much better at playing the heel.
John Cena and Eddie Guerrero are also far better as heels, but the fans cheer them. At a point and time where the WWE (both RAW and Smackdown) needs top faces (to maintain equilibrium with the heels), I'd strongly consider keeping a guy like Orton.....face.
Truth be told, I wouldn't mind seeing
Chris Benoit make a heel turn in the not-so-distant future. With Benoit as a heel, this puts him at odds with Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Orton, and Benjamin...........all of which would be excellent matches.