No, they *claimed* to be more conservative. No offense to the author, but that is SOP in the GOP primaries. Then they run "centrist" in the general and govern left of center when elected.
Regardless of what so called conservative positions they took in the campaign, I don't believe any GOPe will govern that way once elected. Especially in the Senate. 6 years? They consider that ascension to the throne. They don't have to honor any promises made to the hoi polli.
The McCain trick. Run to the right in the primary to fend off your conservative challenger, then tack right back to the mythical "center" after you've taken the conservatives down.