Then, conventional wisdom says to stick with the GOP where small steps are being made. This could also be accepted if small steps were actually being made. The truth is, the GOP is not making any progress toward a conservative agenda. In fact, they are going in the opposite direction. If the GOP were even attempting to make progress toward the goals they promote in their platform, a lot of third party movements would dry up overnight.
Competition is needed.
Conservatives believe that competition produces a better product. However, they only believe this applies to hamburgers. When political parties are involved, most conservatives will elect to continue supporting the established monopoly. Serious change almost always occurs as a direct result of what happens on the outside, not from within. A good healthy dose of competition has driven many industries into excellence and it can do the same for public policy.