His successor, Cardinal Edward Egan, possesses the conservative credentials to inherit that mantle, but he has not yet established himself as O'Connor's political equal. In the interim, Catholic intellectuals, who are always the force behind the Church's leadership, continued to exert political influence over Bush. In fact, the very absence of public scrutiny helped them in their cause. When DeLay boldly announced to The Washington Post in December that Republicans would force through their agenda regardless of the circumstances surrounding Bush's victory, both parties hurriedly denounced his comments. DeLay's behavior, rather than pressuring Bush to the right, alienated moderates and had the ultimate effect of burnishing the new president's moderate credentials.
Religious conservatives recognize that their clandestine strategy requires a disciplined anonymity.
Almost all of those contacted for this article declined to be interviewed or asked that they not be identified by name. Keeping in mind the example of DeLay, they recognize that they're powerful insofar as they don't draw too much attention to themselves and taint Bush as extremist. By being quiet about it and being successful, they're more powerful than they otherwise would have been. They can keep Bush beholden to them, in part by maintaining such discretion. By working with Bush under the radar, Catholic conservatives enable him to appear free of right-wing influence.