I support conservatives and libertarians; I don't march in lockstep to the national party. The RNC does not represent me. I support individual candidates only.
So why should us real republicans listen to anything you have to say?
Because we're your BASE, ya doorknob. Start running candidates who are conservatives and we'll support you. If you don't, we're going to vote 3rd party or stay home. Simple ain't it?
That said, the reason that conservatives are being punished is because they are not trusted anymore. So much pork, so much hypocrisy has taught us republicans that the Conservatives have dropped the ball.
Only RINOs have been "punished" because they completely abandoned conservative principles. The remaining conservative Republicans are being marginalized by the elites who want the GOP to be big-tent moderates and follow the same losing strategy that's failed to doom since Wendell Wilkie.
I trust a moderate Republican with a strong track record of lowering taxes, and success fighting for his constituents tooth and nail to live up to his promises about appointing Roberts-like supreme court, lowering taxes, keeping america safe, and fighting the war on terror a lot more then I do someone who calls themselves a traditional conservative at this point.
Rudy's tax cuts in NYC were marginal, I trust Bill Clinton before I trust Rudy's promise on nominating conservative justices to SCOTUS. All those points don't describe Rudy, and he's been compromised by his social liberalism and flawed personal life anyway. You can't be a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, & vice-versa.
In fact, I cant even listen to people like Pat Buchanan anymore without gagging.
Yeah but it was Buchanan who put the fear into Bush Sr. and Bob Dole, and even gave Bush II a scare in FL. Stop trying to be Dem-lites and just be conservatives, and you won't have to deal with this dilemma every election season, sheesh.