Yes there is a right and wrong. The default browser behavior is the design that every user expects, so unless there is a very strong argument for a different way, this is the _right_ design.

the difference is that with tab-open default, there is no way for me to open the link in this window

with this-window default (or actually, the browser-default-default), I can middle click and it'll open in a new tab regardless

pretty funny to have this discussion though, takes me back to the HTML4 and XHTML days

XHTML ftw :)

> Exactly. This is a design choice and there’s no right or wrong here.

I don't agree. If your design choice forces a user flow that is surprising, awkward, and redundant then it's definitely the wrong choice. It's still a call to be made by the design team, though.