I share your concerns.
However, the true conservative vote cannot alone put a candidate in the White House. That’s just a numerical reality.
Whoever we back must also appeal to the middle, to those country clubbers. So I’m looking for the candidate closest to my political beliefs who can get votes.
Lots and lots of votes.
I share your concerns, but not your conclusion. The only time the GOP has won big is when they ran WAY RIGHT of the Dems. Their worst losses always come when they allow the left/right distinction to be blurred by running to the middle.
Big right wins include 80,84, 88 (many thought Bush 41 was a rightie), 94, 2010.
Big moderate disasters include 92 (Bush 41 outed), 96, 98, 2006, 2008.
The GOP actually reaches the “middle” vote more often when they are bold and unashamed of their conservative beliefs. History proves it. That boldness attracts the middle, contrary to the normal inside the beltway strategist play book.
A true conservative who can communicate their solutions wins pretty much every time it is tried. It is a myth that the way to win is to moderate to win the moderates and the independents. We don’t need a 100% ideologue by any stretch, but we need a compelling conservative candidate who can pull the votes over to our side. The moderate candidate approach pretty much is a loser every time it is tried.