In S.C., the Palmetto State where I grew up, conservatism was once interchangeable and synonymous with segregation; thankfully, much of that philosophy has changed for the better. (However there are relics of that highly charged racially polarized period who call themselves conservatives: David Duke is one.) I feel, however, that true conservatives are lenient to some change (i.e. giving a hand to those less fortunate instead of a handout) while maintaining those philosophies that have defined them: Strong on national defense, fiscal responsibility, and certain issues such as abhorring late-term infanticide...
Change for me would be to accept certain other issues as inevitable--stemcell research among them and a responsible immigration policy that would seal border areas and deport criminal elements while allowing guest workers instead of something that borders on ethnic cleansing.
David Duke was a Dem until he switched to Republican because there was a better chance of winning in their open primary that way with so many other Dems on the ballot. Bloomburg pretty much the same reason.