Mr. Carson said he grew up a Democrat but switched his party affiliation to Republican in the 1980s after listening to Ronald Reagan.
“Like most Democrats who were black I was told most Republicans were evil, racist people. But then I started listening to Ronald Reagan and I thought God it just makes so much sense. Let me investigate this,” said Mr. Carson, who writes a column for The Washington Times.
Mr. Carson said he switched to being an independent about 15 to 20 years ago after getting a “sour taste” watching Republicans who had their own personal foibles impeach President Clinton over an extramarital affair. “I just saw so much hypocrisy in both parties,” he explained.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/4/ben-carson-officially-switches-parties-returns-gop/
I think there are many, many conservatives today whose political leanings have followed much the same pattern.
People tend to be more liberal when they are young. If they are intelligent and paying attention they become more conservative. If they have watched closely enough to see the corruption in Washington in both parties, they may have left or at least become disillusioned with the Republican party.
It’s not the hypocrisy, annoying as that is. A hypocrite is someone who fails to live up to his own principles. We all fail. At least conservatives HAVE some principles. Although I dislike the hypocrisy, what strikes me as worse is the idea that “ok, I messed up, so that principle is out the window so I will no longer fight for what I stand (stood?) for and I won’t try to hold anyone else to that standard either.”
Or worse, “Now I’ve compromised myself, so I might as well go all in.” This seems to be the usual pattern with bribe-taking, vote fixing/swapping, trading favors. Now I’m going to get as much as I can.
What conservatives need to do is acknowledge their flaws, make amends wherever possible, and continue to stand for their principles. Screwing up and then giving up is a recipe for disaster. If you’re a greater liability in office than out, then resign. Otherwise take your lumps and keep fighting.