I think some of the libertarians are a little more pragmatic, they have come to realize that Republicans agree with them 75% of the time, and democrats maybe 25%.
Plus the Ron Paul movement (one benefit) is it did bring a whole new group (% of voting population) into the Republican/Conservative ranks.
Just my observation as being a young conservative interacting with people..
Agree, and the Republicans have also become more pragmatic in accepting small l libertarian-ism. There are many conservative statists who are just as controlling as big government leftists.