The evidence for that is mixed. When Republicans run as conservatives in conservative states, they win. When they run as conservatives in liberal states, they lose. When Democrats run as liberals in liberal states, they win. When they run as liberals in conservative states, they lose.
The reality is, most people like their pet government programs, and don't really want smaller government. And most people don't like radical change. Shrinking government when people don't want it shrunk is a recipe for electoral failure. That's a lesson the Republicans seem to have learned. If they keep control of the purse strings, they have the chance to direct policy to encourage individual responsibility and individual choice. The long term effect of this would be to reduce demand for government.
You are being perceptive and rationale which are two traits not allowed by the doom and gloomer 3rd party folks pretending to be lifelong Republicans! You would think they would get a clue one of these that changing screen names and still bashing doesn't pass the smell test!
Very good insight. I appreciate your post. As I mentioned I'm looking for reasons to vote for Republicans in 2006. And your response gives me some understanding of why we need to try to win (even if it means more spending). It's a long term approach.