In fact, the founder himself said this:
The fact is we need a more conservative government. How do you make it more conservative? The obvious answer is you make it less liberal. How do you make it less liberal? Vote out the Democrats. After you get the worst of the socialist lot of the Democrats replaced, then you can make it more conservative yet, by eliminating the worst of the lott of the Republicans. May sound dumb, but it's the only way. In other words, you're gonna have to make government a whole lot more Republican before you can make it conservative. - Jim Robinson, March 13, 2002
We're all conservatives here. Keep in mind that not all conservatives are the same. There isn't a blue print for the American conservative. Nor is there a one-sized fit all template. Heck, there are those who are atheist and agnostic who post here. Conservatives aren't religious fanatics, nor are they theocratic, conservatism does however share and oftentimes agrees with the social and moral values found within religious texts.
I don't believe President Bush is 100% conservative. I'm not bothered by that, because I don't fall into the "purist" camp. My trouble with President Bush is that he's soft on illegal immigration.
At this point. I have no clue who I am supporting. The political season is too long as it is anyway. Seems everytime I turn around, I've got to cast a vote. (I have a school election to vote in on May 8th).
Lastly, let the candidates speak for themselves. That's what debates are for. I trust everyone here has a brain, a sound judgement, and is more than capable of using both.
I think you make some good points in your post. The other side of the coin is that Rudy Giuliani has taken some extremist liberal stands over the years. His support for taxpayer-funded abortion is an extremist position. His support for partial-birth abortion is an extremist position. On the abortion issue, I don't even call myself pro-Life half the time because I've had such strong disagreements with people on some of the details. However, I don't hold those kinds of extremist pro-abortion positions. The same is true of gun control. I've heard Rudy Giuliani say on national TV that he doesn't believe in private ownership of handguns. That's an extremist liberal position.
I would love to see Republicans rally around a good candidate. My personal favorite at this time is Duncan Hunter, but I can be fairly happy with most of the candidates frequently mentioned. I have some serious concerns about Mitt Romney, but I also like him. I'm on his ping list and may switch to his side if Mr. Hunter drops out or if I see him as the only chance to beat Mr. Giuliani. I've had some differences with Fred Thompson, but I'll vote for him if he's nominated. I think we can find some good candidates among those already running or possibly still find someone else out there. I don't understand why the Giuliani supporters are so intent on pushing someone who is so wrong for the country and the party.
Bill