They may have quietly assured conservative leaders that their particular issues will be advanced, but these assurances have not filtered down to the rank and file. Bush must secure that unstable base because, if he doesn't, it will surely fracture underneath him. As much as the liberal press likes to whine otherwise, Bush is a progressive centrist with conservative leanings, not a staunch conservative. If a bona-fide conservative is chosen, the base will quickly and quietly fall in line, believing its voice in the White House will affect policy when it matters most. They cannot continue pandering to conservatives during the election cycle and then ignoring them during the administrative term.
Conservatives are tired of receiving the sidedoor kisses as the discreet mistress.
They want that night on the town the public wife gets. My circles indicate that their affection, no matter how great in the past, is wearing dangerously thin. Let's hope Republicans don't make the same mistake in 2000. The only thing you can do is pray for it to be over as quickly as possible.