What is a conservative, these days?
Unelectable.
That's a very good question. Reagan pulled disparate elements of conservatism together, but no one has stepped forward since Reagan to keep those groups together. Consequently, conservatism is splintering into those base elements again. I wish your question would be seriously debated and discussed on this forum.
Very good question, as I said. I've seen "conservatives" on FR defend Michael Schiavo obsessive efforts to kill his wife, and defend a court-sanctioned murder, all in the name of "states rights." I've seen "conservatives" on FR ridicule people of faith and defend a "theory" of origins that was embraced by oppressive communist and eugenic fascist regimes in Europe. I've seen "conservatives" on FR who wish to have America selfishly pull into itself and abandon the causes of freedom and justice around the world, allowing them be overrun by their enemies. I've seen "conservatives" on FR say that because of their "principles" they will sit out the '08 election and allow the return of the sociopathic and narcisstic Clintons to the world's most powerful office.
Frankly, there's a lot that parades around this place in the name of "conservatism" that quite frankly, I'm ashamed to be associated with. But for some concept of the "greater good," I tolerate it. Maybe I shouldn't.