Why are conservatives afraid to use conservative right wing label? (state, California)

[azriverfan.]

I noticed in general that conservatives are afraid to describe themselves as being conservative or right wing but why is that? Why do people in the South get defensive when you describe certain cities and areas as being conservative and right wing but you don't see the opposite. You don't see people in California afraid to describe themselves as liberals or neighborhoods as being liberal. If I tell someone in Portland that their city is really left wing, you won't receive protest. But if you tell someone in Charleston that it is right wing or right leaning, they will get defensive??? You hear people all the time state "Yeah I'm liberal or left leaning" but how often do you hear a conservative state "I'm really conservative and right wing?" If conservatism and right wing thinking is something you embrace, why are you afraid to own up to it? Why are you ashamed?

[TrapperJohn]

Generalize much?

Signed,

A conservative Californian.

[malamute]

I have never met a single Conservative that ran from the label. They are actually quick to embrace it.

In fact there is no equivalent to the label of "progressive" with Conservatives. Progressives are simply liberals who are hiding from the liberal label pretending to be something other, something more cool than a liberal.

[NSX-PG]

I wear it like a badge of honor.