strategy can't co-exist with conservatism's unchanging principles. many conservatives have, in fact, decided that their beliefs have become permanently inconsistent with republicanism. this may be more apparent in 2012 than ever before. no offense to romney, but he is the perfect nominee for the republican party in 2012 because he, like the gop, has adopt add variety of positions over the years in order to acquire power. the etch-a-sketch comment was stunningly accurate. here is what i said at the time on "morning joe." when i read your column yesterday, i said, boy, if mitt romney loses, that's going to be the debate inside the republican party. >> it's going to be the fate. >> is it because mitt romney wasn't -- this is going to be the debate. is it because mitt romney wasn't a true blood conservative and what is the republican party going forward? >> well, fast forward six months and here we are. mitt romney gets beaten.