“We should NEVER believe someone says they’re conservative without proof. We’ve been burned enough times to have learned that lesson.”
You make a strong argument, but what if none of the other candidates is suitable? What if you have reasons not to vote for any other candidate, and the only reason you have not to vote for the unproven conservative is that he is unproven?
At least he is saying the right things, and none of the other candidates even dares to let these things pass their lips.
The unknown quantity *might* turn out well, while I know that the others definitely will not.
I recognize the strength of the word “never”.
There are situations where I’d vote for an unproven claiming to be conservative over a proven wolf-in-sheeps-clothing “conservative” (think McCain or W). I wouldn’t trust that unproven pol to BE conservative but if those were my options that’s how I’d vote,
Trust but verify. And if that verification shows them to fake conservatives, distrust.