Conservatism as we know it is pretty much dead. It doesn’t have the ability it once did to unify folks, and there is a large and growing contingent of folks who not only oppose it, they absolutely view it as evil. They are never, ever going to be convinced.
A lot of folks here tend to scoff at Bernie Sanders. As my sitehandle indicates, I know a thing or two about rats. I was one until about 2007. Here’s the thing: Bernie appeals greatly to the 47% or more that willard infamously identified. His supporters are passionate, smart, and relatively young. They will give 110% to elect their candidate. And he will most likely be the rat candidate.
While we sit here arguing about who is the most pure conservative candidate, the opposition is busy unifying their FSA. And each one of them has the same number of votes that we have: one. Assuming they don’t cheat. Which they likely will.
Young skulls full of mush who are convinced that Socialism will work this time.
Oh well, the good news is that they'll see once and for all it doesn't work, but it seems like every other generation has to learn the same lessons the hard way.