In many ways, I understand accept your point. However, those conservatives still in blue states (like me in CA) are indeed actually conservative, and not squishy one bit. We're just swamped by the enemy, despite our best efforts to organize and educate.
In my defense, remember that embarrassing acts like Sanford's mistakes, or that dingbat Akin, impact the races in "purple" states. And when we don't win purple states, we lose even more ground in the blue states.
Of course I welcome any and all conservative votes. But I also recognize that Sanford's many episodes of flakiness - especially is in a professional capacity (dereliction of duty, lying to the citizens, allegations of not obeying court orders) - makes him a risk. He's a risk worth taking today to keep the communists out, but we - meaning all conservatives - can do better.
One last point: polls are showing that Americans don't like Democrat's ideology, but also reject Republican competency. Conservatives can help ourselves NATIONWIDE by presenting incredibly competent candidates.
Someone posted this week on FR that you can begin to knowing which FReeper is a true conservative by finding out what they think of a President Sarah Palin.
This evening, I can add another qualifier: Do you think Mark Sanford was a conservative Representative and S.C. Governor?
Don’t we wish all politicians were better than they are but because they aren’t we must concentrate on making the democrats LOSE. Heck, I didn’t like McCain or Romney for that matter but I wasn’t about to stay home or vote for an independent with no chance of winning. Also, we do have more insight about Sanford than most and it would take long conversations to explain to everyone what else was going on here. More time than I have anyway. Give us some credit too. Yes we have Graham but that’s because of all the liberal Yankees are also moving into our big cities. I wish CA could get rid of all their liberals because your state really is a beautiful state.