William F. Buckley's desire to "stand athwart history and yell ‘Stop!'" described a personality type more than a political agenda. Conservatives, by well-earned reputation, tend to revere traditions and institutions, trust authority, and favor measured, incremental change. Dana Carvey's impersonation of George H.W. Bush caricatured the type brilliantly: "Wouldn't be prudent, wouldn't be prudent at this juncture."
