"So is your litmus test for a real conservative now somebody who has never been a Democrat, even if they've seen the light?"
You mean like seen the light in their late 40s or 50s? Wow. That's a pretty big light change in the so-called maturity years.
I think when you are offering up a candidate in any high powered position, you want to get what you want. Not depend on someone who's eternal core philosophy for day to day has went 180 degrees in party. Why take a chance? Thank goodness for the conversions, but they are the fans in the stands, not the person on deck.
Don't know about up in Tulsa but down here in Cleveland County, we have problems with one of those late coming to be Republican types.