[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Californian conservatives and Republicans (and others from liberal, non-swing states) can vote solely on their convictions. Swing state conservatives and Republicans might not have that luxury. In those cases, picking the least bad candidate makes sense because the election is more dependent on their vote.

This isn't stating that they shouldn't vote on their convictions, only that they do have a reason to vote based on who can win.

[Man50D]

state conservatives and Republicans might not have that luxury.

Voting based on your principles is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Doing otherwise will only create the more of the same problem that has caused the GOP to abandon Conservatives while appealing to those who are not Conservative in order to expand its voting base simply for the sake of winning. Clearly this line of reasoning hasn't worked and has caused the Republicans to find itself in its current predicament.

picking the least bad candidate makes sense because the election is more dependent on their vote.

Voting for the "least bad" candidate mentality only begets more bad candidates. The current crop of media anointed "top tier" GOP candidates is a perfect example of that thinking.