“...would not let the national party distance itself from religious and social conservatives stands or saw no indications of that happening.”
In the current two party system, where are they going to go?
Some will go third party. Many will stay home, refusing to vote for someone of Rudy’s ilk on the social issues.
“In the current two party system, where are they going to go?”
They don’t have to go anywhere. They can just sit on the couch and watch 2 repugnant choices duke it out.
If the conservative grassroots withhold donations & support, the GOP will be steamrolled by the democrats. Just like in the last election.
Go third party and watch the Rockefeller Republicans implode.
They are ignoring the base, and strewing rose pedals along Hillary’s path.
Go DUNCAN Hunter!
They would simply stay home. Meanwhile, the Democrats would stay picking up seats in the south in Congress as they continue to run socially conservative candidates.
“In the current two party system, where are they going to go?”
No where. They’re going to stay home
There are more than two parties, although the parties other than Republican and Democrat haven't historically been successful in elections.
Nevertheless, if people feel that the principles to which they strongly hold have been abandoned by the primary parties, they may choose to go third party or just stop voting altogether.
If that happens enough, one of the third parties may gain strength and become a dominant player.