How conservatives ever became associated with “small government” is a mystery. They are quite content to have big and intrusive government.
Actually, before the Bushs took over, conservative did imply small government. But then these North Eastern liberals attached the word to themselves, hollowed out the meaning and poured a new meaning into the shell. Now the Bushs define Conservative. So much so that a fellow North East Liberal, Romney, can unabashedly call himself severely Conservative.
It’s just that a lot of people haven’t figured out that a Bait and Switch has taken place. But that never lasts forever. Pretty soon the word Conservative will start to stink. Then the progressives will have to go find another word to ruin.