Mitt Romney is not less conservative than George Bush. Romney has already demonstrated he is much more fiscally conservative than Bush by balancing a budget without raising taxes and that he knows how to use his veto pen.
Romney's Fiscally Conservative Record Proven
Additionally, he's already taken very tough enforcement provisons regarding illegal aliens while governor and flatly rejects amnesty and the Z-visa.
Romney's Tough Stance on Illegal Immigration Proven
Also, he has called for the repeal of McCain-Feingold, which Bush signed not vetoed, and one of his top campaign advisers, Jim Bopp, Jr., was instrumental in arguing before the SCOTUS and gettting portions of that unconstitutional bill stricken. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1846308/posts
Further, he stood up for life in a very hostile environment in Massachusetts. Takes a bit more guts to advance the culture of life and famly values in a blue state than a red one. Plus, he's running on a very conservative pro-life and family values platform. Romney's Pro-life Record Proven
Lastly, Romney has proven he is a skillful orator and debater and will be far more successful in promoting the conservative message to all Americans and refuting the DNC propaganda.
Romney has been an opportunistic conservative. I don’t believe that he is a philosophically grounded conservative. His positions on gay marriage and abortion are examples.