I come from a RINO state (Ohio) and, though I like the cut of your jib, I can tell you what you’re missing.
It turns out there aren’re really that many Conservatives around. Hence the Republicans have to run to the center to get elected.
And yes, you’re right, that’s all it is about for them.
But anyone who truly runs to the right in a general election is likely to get creamed. The only way that can happen is if the current office holder is so thouroughly disgraced that people recoil in horror (think Reagan after Carter).
Now you might argue Obama is worse. Sure he is! But the average “low information voter” does not perceive this.
As long as the media stays on the reservation (and they will), I’m afraid there isn’t really much we can do.
“But anyone who truly runs to the right in a general election is likely to get creamed. The only way that can happen is if the current office holder is so thouroughly disgraced that people recoil in horror (think Reagan after Carter).”
As Reagan said, conservativism wins every time it’s tried.
I don’t know the details of Ohio politics, but I can’t think of a single politician nationally who has run to the right in a general election and lost.