R: Conservatives Have No Party

With each election season it becomes increasingly apparent that the Republican Party may not be the home conservatives deserve.  When searching for a candidate we are forced to compromise our conservative values under the weight of the pressure of maintaining "electability".  But what needs to be determined, before assessing whether conservatism and the values of the Republican Party are synonymous, is what is meant by "conservatism."  Should conservatives jump to support the Republican agenda in faith that conservative values are the driving force?  Should conservatives seek a new and ideologically pure party?