Some of our best descriptions of conservatism come from Russell Kirk. He always took the trouble to second Burke and Plato and affirm that Politics is always the Art of the Possible and that Prudence was its highest virtue.
Conservatism is something more than just politics. And to adhere to conservatism is a much greater task than just being a politician that is conservative.
That is our problem is evaluating all of them. And it impacts no mater what flavor of conservatism we subscribe to in our analysis. Adherence to principle should be firm; but also not the only standard if one expects to be a politician. Philosophers and commentators can stay right on their narrow path, because they always get to analyze after the fact and they never have to run for elective or appointive office.
"Adherence to principle should be firm; but also not the only standard if one expects to be a politician." Agreed on both counts, they say that politics is the art of compromise.
IMO, our government was founded with the idea that almost its sole purpose was to protect our liberty, since anything else a government can do is likely to infringe on liberty. I'm not too convinced Bush sees it that way - he is kind of a "rationalist conservative" as far as I can see.
Am not familiar with Russell Kirk, you recommend him I guess? - isn't Plato the philosoher who started that whole "utopia" thing?