Moving forward
Grassroots power derives from primaries. Providing a clear conservative contrast with moderates makes it easy for the in-district grassroots to help conservatives defeat moderates.
It also motivates the grassroots, creating and improving the conservative discount/moderate premium effect (people telling the truth need less contact, less money to win votes).
The danger of a clear contrast was shown last primary when, even without an ambitious slate of primary challenges, Straus lost many key members of his team.
By the same token, blurring the line is dangerous. It demotivates the grassroots from the pro-conservative/ anti-moderate cause, and reduces the conservative discount, making the primary into more of a money fight.
This is, again, why lobby legislators always ask conservatives to keep their bold moves quiet. They know that a bold move that is quiet is like a tree that falls in the forest with nobody around.
The multi-session conservative job
Building the number of genuine conservatives, and helping them be more consistent and bold, is a multi-session task, and always has been. Conservatives have a law of increasing returns at work with regard to this. Conservatives can be added by challenging moderates and winning open seats.
Placating the establishment means allowing them to dictate the conservative agenda. Moving the government in a suustainable, common sense direction becomes harder the more conservatives choose to live in fear of the establishment.
The future of our country depends on legislators who vote with grassroots common sense over the special interests in both parties. Unfortunately, there is very little middle ground in politics. A watchdog tamed by the burglars has become part of the problem. After all, it would be better if the owner knew the house was unwatched than to have a watchdog that cooperates with the burglars. The burglar prefers a tamed watchdog to no watchdog.
Conservative legislators, grassroots, and activists got into politics to change things, not to join the problem. Changing things is hard, but rewarding. Obama’s success has put conservatism in a down cycle, but it will be back, and soon. There is a right way and a worng way to be the “out of power” group. How conservatives perform out of power will dictate how much they can do when the next conservative cycle comes around. Will precious time have to be wasted rebuilding the foundation, or will it be there, ready to be built upon.
To a large extent, it is the grassroots’ and conservative movement’s job to make sure the foundation stays in place.