I’ve never like the idea of compassionate conservatism and have always said so. I prefer plain old fashioned type of conservatism without the excuses for liberalism.
I allowed myself to be duped into compassionate conservatism because I thought 'winning' was everything in politics. I worked in a very liberal environment -- a television newsroom -- and I guess some of their thinking got to me. If I had listened to the memories of what my father taught me I'd have realized the error in my reasoning much sooner.
I prefer plain old fashioned type of conservatism without the excuses for liberalism.
That's my preference as well. Stand for principle and it will stand for you.