republicans who run like democrats, lose
democrats who run like republicans, win
I think the salvation of conservatism no longer lies in the republican party, it lies in the democrat party if some honestly conservative democrats can be elected (big IF I know)
That is an interesting observaton. The roots of the Democrat party are extremely states-rights, populist, and conservative. I wonder what would happen if all the conservatives defected en masse and showed up at Dem party precinct meetings. There would be hysterics, for sure. The big problem would be that the Dem party bosses rule that party with an iron hand. It is EXTREMELY difficult for grass roots change to happen because of the “super delegates” and the role of the party leaders in framing the platform.
That said, I think the republicans are the 21st century Whigs. We need to sweep them out and find another car to drive.
in 2006, chafee and dewine lost, giving your point credence.
But so did Santorum and Allen, neither of whom were running like Democrats. So your point is not always correct.