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The problem we have is that too many of us see conservatism as a dot on a white board rather than a spectrum. As a result, too many of us reject anyone we see as stepping off the conservative dot onto the white board. Problem is, the world doesn't work that way.

Problem is, the party leadership seems to favor opportunists over conservatives.

Nonetheless, a majority of the voting public self-identifies as "conservative". Including virtually all of the party's base.

So far as the voting public is concerned, "us vs them" may not be a left vs right proposition, but a Washington vs All of Us issue.

Problem is, the party leadership seems to favor opportunists over conservatives.

Which party? Nowhere in my discussion have I mentioned a political party. In addition to the problem of too many people seeing conservatism as a dot on a white board, too many automatically think "political party" when they are actually thinking "conservative."

"Conservative" is an umbrella term for a collection of political, social and religious ideologies.

A political party is a secular organization that exists to (1) promote its point of view and (2) get its members elected.

If I assume that, by "the party leadership," you mean the Republican Party, it just highlights the "conservatism as a dot on a white board" analogy. Too many conservatives want to influence public policy while refusing to participate in the tough, "sausage-making" aspects of politics. It's much easier to sit on the sidelines carping about leadership, or how such-and-so candidate is a "RINO."

If conservatives really want to push any party -- Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitution, whatever -- in their preferred political direction, then they need to stop bitching from the sidelines. They need to get into the thick of things. Recruit and fund their own candidates. Do all the hard work necessary to convince enough voters to elect their candidates. Then follow through and make their voices heard after their candidates do get elected.