In states where the democrats/leftists outnumber the conservatives you are not going to win elections with Tea Party types. Wanna argue that? Try running liberals in deep Red states and see what happens.
No, you don't get it. Where conservative principles are actually preached, they are embraced. It's the "middle of the road", "must be a moderate" types who hurt the conservative message. Hillary Clinton sounding like a watered-down Ronald Reagan isn't a standard-bearer for conservatism.
Your alternative shows how "deeply" you hold conservative beliefs. Preaching liberalism in a conservative state is like preaching Islam to a Christian... it's laughable on its face. Preaching Conservatism in a liberal state is like preaching Christianity in a Muslim State... they'll get mad and hot under the collar and make threats... because under the radar, you are converting them in droves.
Nothing makes a liberal madder than the truth... because that's the beginning of their undoing. Nothing makes conservatives weaker than watering down the truth... because the only result of compromising truth is agreeing to a lie.
Principles of being self-reliant, self-sufficient etc are going to fly in deep blue areas??? Are you mad???? The dems have institutionalized large blocs of people to the point that they don’t want to get off of the welfare teet. Oh, and the unions are going to vote conservative??? Yeah...SUUUUUUUURE. College kids? HA HA HA HA HA
There is what is and the way people would like it to be.