Name me one conservative supporter who is willing to "engage in the wholesale abandonment of conservative principles" and support your claim.
I don't believe it.
The conservative Arnold supporters I have heard from are willing to compromise when it comes to social issues, in order to get a fiscal conservative elected.
That is smart politics.
Those who are willing to abandon the chance of getting Dems out of the Gov mansion in order to vote for a loser, are of absolutely no use to anyone.
Feinstein politics.