Figures he adores the expression “Compassionate conservative” because it (1) implies that conservatives are meanies who don’t care and (2) let’s him be a liberal but still claim with a straight face to being conservative. For evidence, consult any of George W Bush’s domestic policy positions during his presidency. All bad except tax cuts.
It’s code for NeoCon, the Marxist/agnostic branch of the RNC.
They are straight up pragmatists without a moral core. Think profits at all costs, the Kevin Williamson story in NRO about letting white working class people and communities die, that sort of ‘intellectual’ discussion.
Compassionate conservatism is a code to let the other NeoCons know that, while that absolutely support nation building and endless wars, they will support social programs to set it off.
Or
Ordering a diet pepsi with a big mac and fries.