Well that theory falls apart when one realizes Paul Ryan is the VP.
You may want to consider that not all R voters are conservative. They should be; but the fact is that they are not.
Is the goal to win an election; or to have a pure conservative as the candidate? I would like both; but winning the election is a non negotiable.
The goal is NOT to “win” an election. The goal is to accomplish something. The “grown ups” in the party laugh at that point of vies. They think I’m nuts. They are only interested in their own enrichment and power.