I keep hearing how "we need a viable conservative party." Why? What for?

[GulfCoast66]

33. Oh, I'm not arguing that any of their leaders a worth a bucket of spit

When Romney is the best they got they got nothing.

But one of my best friends and the father of my grown god kids is a republican. Of course back then I was as well! Perhaps that is one reason I don’t write every republican voter off. I was one but am now a social democrat.

We went to Italy and Germany with he and his wife 2 years ago. The wife and I have been fortunate enough to go there 10 times for multiple weeks each time. Including working there for 7 weeks in the late 90’s. It changed my life. Since then I have seen a change in him. He was a self identified republican. Now he says he is a libertarian and hates trump. Skipped the president election this time. I’m not pushing him too hard but I think within 4 years he may be a democrat. Unfortunately his wife has not worked since the adult kids were born and spends all day watching conservative news. I think there is only so far he can go and maintain peace in the house. At least(as far as I know) she is not in the Q shit.