Re: I don't know.
Every landslide victory the Republicans have had since the end of the 1970s was under a proud and consistent conservative banner.
I know who and what the Democrats are afraid of. Just look for what they try their damnedest to destroy.
The primary destroy mission on Cain was running full tilt back when he was a frontrunner and Gingrich was still looking at taillights. Your original theory on this being a belated "hangfire" going off makes sense.