Yet, even though they were unhappy with the GOP's "wild spending," in 2000 the "religious right" threw their support behind George W. Bush. So much so that in 2004 Vigurie is noted as saying he supported President Bush "enthusiastically." Yet only a year later, by 2005, that support was beginning to ebb. Again from Viguerie's Washington Post editorial ...

In 2004, Republican leaders pleaded with conservatives -- particularly religious conservatives -- to register people to vote and help them turn out on Election Day. Those efforts strengthened Republicans in Congress and probably saved the Bush presidency. We were told: Just wait till the second term. Then, the president, freed of concern over reelection and backed by a Republican Congress, would take off the gloves and fight for the conservative agenda. Just wait.

We're still waiting.

Sixty-five months into Bush's presidency, conservatives feel betrayed.

Now, it appears the tide has gone out, and the Religious Right is beginning to understand they were sold a "bill of goods." Little did the Religious Right know that they were dealing with a GOP that operated on the "Wimpy Principle" --"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today."

Among the current Republican contenders, who measures up for this group? Richard Viguerie is perhaps the most outspoken about the lack of acceptable candidates in the current pool, and others are slowly following suit.

In Conservatives Beware of Fred Thompson Vigurie starts off by eliminating three of the four front-runners:

The frustration of conservatives is understandable. Faced with the prospects of Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, or Mitt Romney as the next Republican presidential candidate, many are pinning their hopes on former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee. Could this actor-politician be the new Ronald Reagan?

The article goes on to outline in great detail all of the reasons why Fred Thompson is not a good choice for the "conservative base" and concludes:

Fred Thompson is not the conservative leader we need.

And on Giuliani, from the Christian News Wire, Viguerie has this to say:

"Rudy Giuliani is wrong on all of the social issues, is wrong on the Second Amendment, and is pretty much a blank slate on all other issues of importance to conservatives," Viguerie adds. "If the Republican Party nominates him, it is saying to the American people that it has lost all purpose except the raw political desire to hold power. It will be time to put the GOP out of its misery."

Other rumblings from leaders of the Religious Right include this little tidbit from James Dobson:

Is Rudy Giuliani presidential timber? I think not.

Dobson has also gone on record saying he would not endorse Fred Thompson until he "expressed his faith." He further stated [about Thompson] "I don't think he's a Christian." So, who would Dobson support?

Dobson has not endorsed any candidates. He told "U.S. News & World Report" that he thinks Gingrich is the "brightest guy out there" and "the most articulate politician on the scene today."

Is the New Right so disenchanted with the Grand Old Party that they will pull their support for Republican candidates and advise the voting bloc to "just stay home" in 2008?