Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina both claim to be rather Conservative candidates. On Paper, there is little (though definitely some) disagreement between them - both enjoy the support of many Conservative groups (The Susan B. Anthony List, NRA, NRTL, etc.), and both tout some impressive Conservative support (Devore with McClintock, Dana Rohrabacher, etc.; Fiorina with Inhofe, Palin, Kyl, and Coburn, etc.).
The difference here is that DeVore has a long track record of demonstrated Conservatism. We can point to his votes, speeches, and record going back for some time now. He has been, and still is, a Conservative of record.
Fiorina talks the talk - now. What raises alarms most is that she has previously offered some considerably non-Conservative views on Abortion, Immigration, et al, and even was willing to openly cast doubt upon Sarah Palin, the Conservative GOP VP pick, while the Presidential race was still afoot. She has also made statements to lead one to believe she is not adequately opposed to modern fiscal Statism enough to bring a Conservative comfort in supporting her - certainly not as long as a Chuck DeVore is still in the running.
Fiorina has undergone more than one conversion in recent years. It may well be that she has become a genuine convert on said issues, only she knows for sure; but there is no record to point to to demonstrate such new-found loyalty, so we are basically asked to take her strictly at her word. This is a difficult pill to swallow when even at FR you can watch video of a very different Carly Fiorina than we see today. It is a pill that need not be swallowed at all - yet - because there is candidate still in the race whose record shows us no need for blind faith - Chuck DeVore.
As far as the “lied about his service” nonsense, don't believe the hype. A quick search at FR will show you that said rumor was adequately debunked - even with actual audio recordings as evidence - just moments after the Times printed the smear.
Chuck DeVore deserves our support in this race. As far as Fiorina goes, ask folks about supporting her after the nomination is settled. Right now there is a better option; hopefully that option will be available even three months from now.
Excellent post. Thanks.