I understand there is a point where we have to look at reality and understand when compromise is necessary. However, and this is a big however, I firmly believe the Republican party has gone too far - they have compromised their core values, and surrendered on issues which should not have been surrendered.
Even now, with a Republican in the White House and the House wholly under Republican control, the waste and lack of effort to clear away corruption boggles my mind. The Dept of Education has been given BILLIONS more of our money to continue to prove that it is an abject failure. Millions of illegals are likely to now be given amnesty, sucking away more of our tax dollars. John Ashcroft has not made an attempt (even a symbolic one) to clean up the pit of corruption from his predecessor. That FBI agent who recently shot the boy scout has not been punished, and in all likelihood, will not be. The excuses are the same as during Clinton - "The investigation is pending, and we cannot say anything."
And most infuriating, the GOP congressmen voted themselves an automatic pay raise - oblivious to the fact that the country was in recession and taxypayers without jobs were funding their congressional excesses.
If Republicans were sincere about their core values, then dam*it, heads would be rolling over the ineptitude and corruption in government, and we'd see high-paid federal bureaucrats lining up for the unemployment line. BTW those INS agents who screwed up so badly in sending the terrorists their approved visas - they haven't been fired yet either.
There are only two options:
Conservatives run away en masse from the current GOP party, form a new political movement, and attempt to reach majority status. In theory, it could happen, especially in a three way race..just look at 92..but more likely it would guarantee Dem control of Congress AND the WH....and that'sa scay thought.....or..
Conservatives work to elect a dominant GOP majority, to the extent that the "threats" of GOP moderates, who now, as you so accurately depict, pull the party to the center/left. They can do they, because they know they control the balance of power. If they can't do that, they have no impact, and they'll go along, because it's no fun being on the outside looking in.....That's why Chaffee has clout now, but if the Senate is 53-46-1 GOP..who cares if he goes over to the Dems...and that's precisely why he won't go.... And once we have control, we can begin to work to elect more representatives that accurately reflect the values you espouse...
I prefer the second alternative....