And with a conservative, you are in danger of losing the swing states.
" And with a conservative, you are in danger of losing the swing states."
Yes, because that a happened in 1980, 1984, and in 1988 when people thought GHWB was actually a conservative.
Things went so well in 1976, 1992 and 1996 when the base was unmotivated for the republican candidate.
You win with your base - the 'swing' voters follow the leader - they don't make you a leader.