But even as he did so, one of his staffers explained why Bush was following his denunciation of conservatives with a little sweet talk. Once again, this is what Republican moderates always do. The dog has been whipped, and now the master has petted him. As far as the eye can see, conservative tails are wagging. Of course, they fussed a little.
Conservatives always fuss a little when they get kicked in the teeth again.
Nobody cares, and for good reason. Moderates are losers, and they are an infinitesimal part of the Republican Party. But they always get the nomination, and conservatives always take their kicks and come up smiling. So there is a kicking order, exactly like the pecking order among chickens. The liberals are at the top.