I vote for conservative Republicans in the
primaries. If they lose, and a centrist (like Bush) gets the nomination, then I vote for him in the general election. If there were truly
no difference between the two major parties, I'd consider voting Contitution Party. But a difference there is, however slight it may appear sometimes.
The key is to bring what is now the center over to the right side of the political spectrum. But one doesn't do that by playing around with Presidential politics -- voting third party and helping to get a Rat elected. It's done by local, grassroots political movements (like here at FR).
Otoh, it's irresponsible of conservatives NOT to hold Bush's feet to the fire when he wanders off the reservation. It's certainly not the way to "roll back decades of governmental largesse, root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America."
We must be tough with our own. If we don't, the differences between the two major parties will become indistinguishable one day.
You make a lot of good and sensible points. There is nothing disloyal or improper about speaking out against policies that one doesn't agree with.
Grass roots -- the President can't position himself too far from the center of the country politically if he is to win. Just look at the Senate & House -- closely divided.
What we all need to do is keep trying to move more citizens to the Right -- which will elect more Republicans and more conservatives -- and that in turn moves the Presidency to the Right.
But to drop out altogether or support a 'Rat -- that just doesn't help. And 3rd parties -- come ON, there aren't any third parties with any Congressmen or any other power in this country, and that won't change.