Who is “they” ? Do you mean the republican primary voters? Or do we still pick the nominee in smoke filled rooms? Keep in mind, that the moderate from Massachusetts had trouble crossing 30% in all initial primaries. Did the conservative candidates unite behind just 1 candidate? Nope, they fought to the bitter end, clearing the path for Romney.
A better statement than “do not nominate a liberal” would be “unite behind one conservative candidate”. Whichever candidate has most success through the SC primary should stay in, the rest drop out. That is the ONLY way a conservative wins nomination.
Simple reason is, there are not enough social & fiscal real conservative voters in the primaries to anoint 2 or more conservatives over a social liberal like Romney. Split the conservatives, and it is guaranteed there will be no conservative nominee. It is wise to accept reality.
Don’t kid yourself, the party bosses do everything in their power to hamstring conservatives. Keeping the early primary states in moderate/lib states, doing nothing about open primary abuses, using their friendly media outlets like Fox to pump up the liberals and bash conservatives, and letting hardcore progressives moderate all our debates. If they get another lib nominee, it will be exactly what they wanted.