Yeah, since Smith got beat and not many seem to care....All most Republicans(including a majority on this site it seems) care about is winning. Not conservatism. Conservatism is kinda doing the old Russian "slash and burn" retreat. But the problem is, Conservatism isn't as big as Russia, if you get my meaning.
Candidates from both major parties MUST appeal to and get very many votes from the "center" to get elected (winning).
When either party fails to do this, the LOSE. Goldwater, McGovern, Dukakis.
The only conservatives which pass muster with the hard core conservatives on this board, for the most part fall into the losing type, hence they uphold "principles" and they LOSE.
Reagan appealed to the non-idealogical center, based on personality. He also compromised principle enough to stay popular.
Many times, principled conservatives are weak politicians, and they LOSE. Winning takes personality, political skill, money, and solid positions. Political skill involves compromise, when strategically beneficial.
Get us candidates with those strengths, and conservatives can win.