That happened briefly while Ronald Reagan was President and leader of the party. It also helped that there are no more conservatives who are also Democrats, like Scoop Jackson. Those conservatives now appear to be all Republicans.
BUT, as John Boehner clearly illustrates, the majority of Republicans are not conservatives, as you and I understand that term. If they were, John Boehner could not sustain as Speaker; he would be run out or at least quietly told he needs to step down as Speaker because he is embarrassing the party.
As long as Boehner, McConnell and the rest of the "Leadership" allows the media to bad-mouth the Tea Party and let Obama set the agenda, it is pretty clear that the Republicans treat Conservatives the same way Democrats treat Blacks; thanks for the votes now go sit down and let us do whatever we want, whether it is what you want in the first place.
Yup. They USE the conservative label to get us to vote for them, but once in power vote for whatever the Chamber of Commerce tells them to. I don’t think they are liberal nor conservative nor moderate. They just like being in power, are beholden to those with the cash, and give lip service to us during election years.
Maybe we conservatives should join the Chamber of Commences around the fruited plain and steer them sharply starboard!
Seriously.
Wide variety of pubbies these days