It is the job of conservatives to educate every person on conservatism, the philosophy, its fundamental fairness, goodness, righteousness and especially success.
We are in the wilderness, a minority in the Republican Party. It is necessarily our job to rebuild the intellectual foundation, persuade our fellow citizens, and form an effective political coalition in the future.
Cruz was as close as we've gotten in my adult lifetime. If it weren't for Trump, we would have won. The Anti-Establishment fervor was earned by the Establishment, and if it weren't for the arrival of Mr. Populist, Cruz would have been coronated with no trouble.
But now we have the Trumpians with whom to deal. That's going to be difficult. My best advice is not to challenge them. They will burn out when The Donald fails them and returns to his liberal instincts. Eventually, I suspect they will find a face-saving measure and come back to the true faith, chastened.
:-)
It's another 20 year project, folks! Time to be Happy Warriors again!