Decius wrote:
The right choice is always the most conservative one, regardless of context. Anyone who ever selects a less conservative choice in any context cannot be trusted with anything, ever again, and is no different from a communist.

I don't think you're describing the majority of those who consider themselves true conservatives. There's a difference between being conservative and being reactionary, just as there's a difference between being liberal and being radical. I don't see anything wrong with conservatives wanting Republican candidates to be conservative or liberals wanting Democratic candidates to be liberal.

McCain, like Giuliani, does have some traditionally conservative positions, but compared to most Republican politicians, he's too far to the left on some key issues for many conservatives. Also, they aren't comfortable with his perceived tendency to seek compromise as a first resort. Obviously, there are enough Republicans who support McCain to get him nominated, but I don't see the conservatives rallying for McCain in the way the liberals will be supporting Obama.

Decius wrote:
I am talking about Republicans. Provide an example of mainstream Democrats attacking Democratic politicans because they are willing to work with Republicans on policy issues...

Joe Lieberman

Decius wrote:
The substantive difference between the policy positions of the Republican politicians and the conservative base with regard to illegal immigration is that the conservative base wants the issue dealt with by rounding up all of the illegal immigrants and throwing them out of the country by force, and the federal government cannot and will not do that.

You've always got a few who want to "round up" all illegal aliens, but most conservatives I know don't think it's even possible. Even if it were possible, most think we don't need to do that. They suggest that if we demagnetize (see the last three paragraphs) the country, most of those who are in the country illegally will go back home on their own.

RE: The Conservative Revival - New York Times