After 2016 I also noticed that Rush was beginning to see the failure of conservatism, post Reagan. I welcomed his conversion. Bush #41 failed to carry the movement after 1988. Bush #41 was responsible for free trade, Dick Cheney and endless war, the abandonment of any push back on social issues including abortion and, of course, his evil seed, Bush #43.
41 was a moderate.
Dole was another moderate against slick.
43 was moderate but had the fortune of running against two unlikeable candidates in gore and kerry.
mcstain was moderate who happened to run up against a dynamic bi-racial candidate.
romney...same issue.
Trump is the first to come close to Reagan in espousing a conservative viewpoint.
And then he rain into COVID and dominion.