The thing about hardcore conservatives is that they're perfectly happy to use all that security state apparatus against people they don't like, such Muslims, people who work in abortion clinics and so on. I've run into a surprising number of people who advocate militarizing the border with Mexico on the grounds that 'it worked for East Germany.' Realistically, most of those people were untroubled by the Patriot Act etc. until Obama took office, so I don't think they're reliable allies.
I do think a Congressional review is in order, but my prediction is that nothing much will happen until the US is fully out of Afghanistan in 2014. At that point the AUMF may be rescinded, which would also make it a good time to review the Patriot act. With the mid-terms coming up the GOP might try a campaign based on liberty as you describe, especially since their base is likely to be pissed off about immigration reform, not having a victory celebration for leaving Afghanistan etc.
I do think a Congressional review is in order, but my prediction is that nothing much will happen until the US is fully out of Afghanistan in 2014. At that point the AUMF may be rescinded, which would also make it a good time to review the Patriot act. With the mid-terms coming up the GOP might try a campaign based on liberty as you describe, especially since their base is likely to be pissed off about immigration reform, not having a victory celebration for leaving Afghanistan etc.