You know, if you want to know what constitutes the principles of traditional American conservatism, don't look to a political party for the answer.  Look to the institution that embodies those principles and codifies them as the only acceptable code of conduct for leaders ... our military.

Anyone who's ever been connected with the US military knows how much military tradition values the quality of leadership. It's institutionalized in the military and (unlike the private sector of our economy) in the military there is no distinction between "management" and "leadership."  if you are an officer in any of our military forces, you are considered a leader and you are expected to exhibit, consistently and constantly, the traits of leadership, in your private life as well as your professional. That's tradition, it's doctrine, and it's mandated by the regulations and guidelines set down as the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It isn't optional.

I spent the first 14 years of my professional life working (both as a civilian employee and contractor) for the US Army.  During that time, I was exposed to the military's ideas about leadership. We were taught that authority can be delegated, but never responsibility.  Personal responsibility is core to military leadership, and it's also one of the very most conservative principles.  Yet, our current leadership will do anything, its seems, to avoid accepting responsibility for its numerous mistakes.  

While admitting only that "mistakes were made," our leaders disavow any responsibility for that ... instead trying to attribute blame.  Finger-pointing and denial have replaced honesty and integrity in our government.

That isn't true leadership.  

The truth is, the argument about "who's at fault" can be waged for years and we may never know for sure who is "to blame."  But we all know, and there is no doubt, who is responsible.  We all know where the proverbial "buck stops."  We all know who holds the reigns of power.  And, if we have any integrity of our own, we won't tolerate attempts by those in positions of authority to shirk their responsibility.