That's THE key post of the thread.
The point is, the only power we have is at the ballot box. If our representatives KNOW that conservatives will vote Republican no matter what, who do you think they will be pandering too? Not conservatives, that's for sure.
The whole point of "holding their feet to the fire" is to get them to toe the line, NOT to "make them lose the elections."
Call it "tough love" if you don't like the "feet" metaphor, but it's the same thing. We either demand that they earn our votes, or, we are telling them that they OWN our votes.
There is is, in bumpersticker sized format that anyone can grasp: "Earn 'em, or OWN 'em? Question of the day!"
If they think they OWN our votes, then they are NOT going to do anything to appeal for our votes. They will go after "the other guy's voters". And THAT means that they will lean left, in order TO appeal to those voters.
This is SUCH a simple concept that I am absolutely dumfounded that so FEW seem to get it!
Every time I see someone ranting and raving about "hurting the party" in response to a comment about holding their feet to the fire, I realize that I am listening to either an ignoramus, and imbecile (there is a big difference!), or, a "paid poster" here doing a job.
What an eponymous moment for me... LOL!