you hit on an important theme there - we do have alot of good conservatives in the republican party, but they aren't vocal enough, they haven't been "out there" developing a consistent message, and developing the communications skills to sway people.
our conservative offerings for 2008 are sparse, and time has run out to take some "unknown" and build them into a presidential candidate, who can actually have a chance to win.
I just don't think this country can survive 8 years of Hillary and Bill Clinton back in the white house. so this mantra of "let's give it to a Dem before we give it to a RINO" fails me, I can't sign up for that.
I never gave it a thought until I tried to come with names of Conservatives who were also leaders who would be willing to run. I cannot think of any. I don't count Romney because he is pandering to Conservatives IMHO.
I have eaten a lot of rubber chicken and some things I am not sure what it was they served, heard a lot of speeches, and can count on one hand the number of speeches that haven't made me tune out.
Republicans have also done a louzy job in running candidates for Governor as we lost so many Governorships. We have a vocal leadership void and you are right we have not developed a consistent message. Having McCain in your party doesn't help.