From what I’ve studied about the GOP, they haven’t had a true conservative since Reagan. And the establishment hated him because he wasn’t a ‘squish’. Think about it. When was the last time the GOPe had a conservative as President and not a progressive (globalist)?
In my lifetime (i.e., since 1940), the GOP has nominated two conservatives for President -- Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.
As difficult as it might be to comprehend, the 3rd most conservative nominee was clearly George W. Bush.