How many boneheaded plays by the "conservative movement" do you have to see to validate the truth of that statement. Illinois is a great example of conservatives not being able to unify and defeat moderates. This has produced viscious primaries where the conservatives rip each other to shreds generally producing a moderate (Topinka) who loses in the general. On occasion a conservative wins and is then slaughtered in the general.
This is as predictable as to say the desert will be dry. Here there is no candidate emerging with a chance of beating Guiliain except McCain. Only Newt has a chance of winning a primary against either one and he probably would not manage even one in the South.
The conservative movement taught the Rockefeller Republicans how to win national elections. They were content to be a pepetual minority party.