"put up a conservative...
Yep, you got it. Now if only the GOP can get it."
I disagree with your comment.
There are tons of people even here on FR that don't really want a conservative. Many of them don't really want a smaller gov't, which is the cornerstone of the conservative movement. Oh, they say they want a smaller gov't, but they still like the prescription meds programs for seniors and more social security bennies, they want gov't to outlaw everything that bugs them, from smokers to people driving while talking on cell phones, etc., etc.
So, my point is, there aren't very many true conservatives left out there. One of the reasons that Bush won is because he's not that conservative. If the GOP fields a true conservative then he won't even carry the GOP base.
Well I disagree with your statement but...If Bush ran today he would not stand a chance in h@ll of winning, he has simply fractured the base too badly and he cannot put Humpty Dumpty back together again and would lose to even a weak Democrat, except the deservedly despised Hitlery. The GOP needs independents and a slice of the minorities to win the POTUS even with the Conservative Base but they simply cannot win without the Conservative base and that base expects some serious adherance to principal, which is more clearly than ever missing in this POTUS. I believe a true conservative will not be allowed to run for president for the fear that you are are right (and I don't believe you are) but we can push some into congress (and push some RINOs out). If the GOP expects to win the POTUS in '08 and the tinfoil hats may think they don't want to, they had d@mn well better put someone up who walks and talks like a conservative at least. In any case they will have little to point to as reasons we should stay with the GOP except the Boogie Man argument and that just ain't gonna fly anymore. My opinion, your mileage may vary.