How can the Republican Party be returned to its conservative roots without losing the Presidency at least once? Can you offer any plausible scenario?
I would agree that now isn't a good time to try to turn the party around except for one thing--McCain et al. will almost certainly work to ensure that there will never be a better time. If we won't try it now, when there's maybe a 5% likelihood of success, we'll have to try it when there's a 3% likelihood, or a 1% likelihood, or no measurable chance whatever.
You wave the banner of “conservatism” like the jihadists wave the banner of Islam. Ease back and win the war of nations not a battle of slogans.