Oh, I entirely agree about Graham’s positions, generally. I just meant that conservative candidates also have to be able to project the sense that they will help their constituents, because sometimes we act as if people were voting based solely on principle. People here might, but by ourselves, we’re not enough to elect anybody to anything!
So there’s got to be something that will appeal to voters who are focused on the “bottom line” - that is, how will this candidate make my life better? Bring jobs to my state, deal with bureaucratic problems, etc. A candidate has to project an image of competence and also that he or she cares about the day-to-day and is on the side of the constituency.
I would not vote for Graham or Christie for dog cathcer, if someone like that gets the nomination, count me out.