Why is it so difficult for Republican leaders to come to the realization that conservatism is on the rise in the United States? Judging by their recent comments it would seem the GOP’s only prerequisite for membership in the party is a person must disagree to any degree with the Democrat Party. This attitude may have cost them two congressional seats.

In New York’s 23rd congressional district, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, along with the National Republican Committee, endorsed the extremely liberal Republican candidate Deidre Scozzafava. Scozzafava was campaigning against Democrat Bill Owen and conservative Doug Hoffman. The committee spent almost $1 million supporting Scozzafava and aired commercials against Hoffman.

Scozzafava repaid the committee by withdrawing and endorsing Owen, who won the contest with 49 percent of the vote to Hoffman’s 45 percent. Scozzafava received 6 percent. Maybe if the committee had supported the true conservative he would have received the 6 percent that Scozzafava attracted and would have won the election.

In California’s 10th district, Republican David Harmer finished 10 points behind Democrat John Garamendi in a district that is 66 percent Democrat. What if the Republican Committee had spent the Scozzafava $1 million supporting Harmer? It is entirely possible the Republicans could have achieved a second victory.

Gingrich spokesman Rick Tyler, appearing on Fox News, suggested the only way for Republicans to regain control of Congress is that conservatives must be willing to vote for moderate Republicans. Michael Steele, the Republican National Committee chairman, stated he welcomed moderates into the Republican family with “open arms.” Former New York Gov. George E. Pataki told Neil Cavuto he believed moderate Republicans should be embraced by conservatives.

Many observers have noted a recent Rasmussen Reports poll that reveals 40 percent of Americans describe themselves as conservative while 37 percent claim to be moderates and only 20 percent say they are liberal. Did someone hide the results of this poll from Gingrich, Tyler, Steele and Pataki?

If the committee continues to support moderate or liberal candidates it is entirely possible the Democrats will retain control of Congress. Recently a BBC correspondent appearing on MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough show expressed a true conservative’s view. She said “Conservatives want to send a message to the Republican leadership. That message is conservatives will not vote for moderate or liberal Republican candidates even if the result is a Democrat victory.” Finally someone, a foreigner at that, gets it. Conservatives long so desperately for this turn to the right they are willing to allow Democrats short-term victories to persuade the Republican Party to do the right thing.

Carl Goodson of Clute, Texas, is the author of the book, “What is Your Government Doing to You?”