So those people should have been good little "sheeple" and followed lock step, kinda sounds like the Dems and blacks. Which is exactly what this discussion was originally about.
Your right that it's the voters, but you fail to see that no one has to vote for anyone. Those that choose not to vote or to vote another way realize the possiblities of the results of their actions and are willing to take that chance. You are expecting that all conservatives blindly follow orders (like Dems do with blacks) and vote the way you want. Campaigning is about earning the peoples votes, let me repeat...EARNING the peoples votes. The Dems and the GOP are expecting you to vote their party because you always have and always will. That is not earning the vote. Some conservatives are tired of being taken for granted and are voiceing that frustration, some are taken steps to change party affiliation to take their membership dues to a group that they feel will earn and respect their vote. They may still vote Republican, they may vote independant, they may even vote Democrat, it all depends on the which candidate EARNS their vote.
Oooo Kaaay, it's time to break out the guidelines for frustrated mavericks, disgruntled individualists, rogue rebellers, etc:
• If he/she has an "R" after his/her name, vote for him/her.
• Yes, in politics, winning is everything.
• Republicans running against Democrats have earned your vote.
• If the choice is between two evils, vote for the lesser evil, even though they are both evil.
• No matter how big or small government gets, never allow Democrats to control any part of it.
• The GOP "base" is much broader than just Conservatives.
• Common sense trumps principles, morals, personal views, and conscience because even the bad guys have them — but they don't resemble yours in any way, shape or form.
• Don't confuse whining with ranting.
These guidelines will be significantly changed to address GOP problems once the Democrats are less of a threat.