Will is only correctly interpreting the state of the American electorate today. There is NO chance for a red-meat conservative to get elected. In fact there has NEVER been a red-meat conservative elected in modern times but there have been several ultra-liberals elected. In both good times AND bad times the American people turn to government.
They simply will not accept the fact that successful politics is a series of compromises.
Unfortunately, there is some truth to what you say, but that only makes it all the more distressing when we forfeit the high ground with respect to promoting a fiscally-conservative, constitutionally-limited vision for America's future. Conservatism is hard, as it implies personal responsibility and accountability...sure, anybody can get behind the simplistic argument of "To everyone in accordance to their need, from everyone in accordance to their means"; however, this socialistic impulse has proven to be wrong in every society it has been tried. The Right must retain the high ground with respect to limiting the growth of the Federal Leviathan, and continue to make converts to our cause.
When we allow Federal expenditures to grow at a rate that exceeds that of Clinton and the DemonRATS of '93-'94, it blurs the differences between the parties and undermines our ability to make the case that Republicans can be trusted to be sober conservators of our hard-earned tax dollar.
FReegards...MUD