Why when a torque specification is given it is always a range of foot pounds such as 26.8-36.7? What is the proper setting on my torque wrench for a spec such as this anywhere between those two numbers?

yea, 26.7 is too loose and 36.8 is too tight.

those are likely even numbers in the metric system.

Take the average of the range. For example (26.8+36.7)/2 = 31.75. The manufacturers do this because if they gave the spec as XX.X ft-lbs +/- 10% they know that people like George W. Bush cannot calculate what 10% is.

i doubt people that can operate a torque wrench are unable to calculate +/- 10%

The range covers reasonable (mis) calibration of the wrench itself, among other variables. Like the earlier poster said, shoot for the middle of the range.