Well, that happened in 1964, 43 years ago.
Since then, it's been the "real, true" conservatives turning their backs on the Republican Party whenever they don't get their way.
Uh, I give you the NJ Governor's election in 2002, and Ollie North's Senate campaign. The moderates even tried to sink Reagan in 1980 when Anderson ran for President.
Bull. Need an example? California conservatives held their noses and elected Pete Wilson, twice. Especially in the second instance, we worked our butts off and saved an unpopular governor. The reciprocation? After defeating RINO Dick Riordan by 14 points in the primary, the California GOP turned around and shafted Bill Simon in 2002 with 1.6 million registered Republicans failing to show up at the polls.
Even Carl Rove has said it outwardly that "conservatives have no place to go." Hence the slide under his leadership. People will only take so much of that crap.
If the GOP would stick to a strong conservative-libertarian philosophy, all of the problems we have now would be eradicated, Howlin. Don't you get tired of Republicans acting like Democrats? Or is it OK with you because you don't want to miss out on the $1,000-a-plate fundraisers and handing out GOP campaign literature.