I am specifically separating the current GOP party in America from 'conservatives', as a political force around the world since the Enlightenment.
To be more exact, the 'offense/defense' comment refers to recent politics in America. Since Clinton, the GOP and its supporters have invented the bullets they needed. Remember Bill allegedly running a drug smuggling operation in the back woods of Arkansas? Hillary having Vince Foster killed? Obama being born in Africa? The GOP is gifted at attack. Jerry Falwell helped invent 'fake news'.
But my overall point is that without official Democrats in the crosshairs, the GOP is at something of a loss. There's no one prominent enough left to blame for anything. Hence the reflex to point backwards to the Clintons and Obama. Friendly targets. But still relevant to anything?