Today, in Oregon, a leading leading republlcan state representative endorsed a moderate independent rather than a conservative. This is in a very conservative district. The Republican Party is clearly at war with conservatives. Yes, conservatives can win in Oregon.
There are deeply entrenched, moneyed interests within the GOP that run the party. They like and promote the status quo. Smaller government and less spending is not appealing to them.
These interests will stop at nothing to push back and marginalize the Tea Party at every turn. The GOP is not, and never will be, a viable party for conservatives IMO.