Hi Nick.
First of all, please make this distinction:
Conservatism and the GOP are NOT the same thing.
Lately, there is almost no overlap between conservatism and the GOP.
I have been a conservative all my life. I have never registered as a republican. The GOP is an institution... conservatism is a philosophy.
Please acknowledge that you understand this before I go on...
Actually, it's been the cased since Reagan left office.
what is the difference?