I am with Rush when he says, “Conservatism works whenever it is tried.” The GOP is apparently dedicated to squashing true conservatives whenever they rear their heads...kind of like whack-a-mole. I was convinced that Mitt would be a lot better than Obama and voted for him, but he never really articulated true conservative principles. He kept talking about “reaching across the aisle” and other bipartisan nonsense. He still talked about manipulating various government programs as if such manipulations would solve long term problems.
The GOP apparently takes the cynical approach of fashioning a platform based on shifting trends of what they think the people want rather than solid principles. It is a post-modern approach that asks the question, “What is your truth today, America?....we are here to make it happen!”
It works if you buy it and bring it home, but it doesn't sell in the department store window at all.