I really have to disagree with this statement. The contentious issues are ones that are at the heart of the conservative agenda. It's not really a question of leeway--W got a lot of leeway from his base in his first four years and, where he had slack, he usually exercised it in a leftward direction.
I really think the argument on this thread is not about tactics--it is about ideology. By and large, I suspect that most of the 'stay calm, it'll get better' folks are not from what I would call the conservative branch of the party and are not displeased with the leftward lurch of the party under W. Like W, they don't think controlling federal spending or the borders is worth spending political capital on. I really don't mean this as an epithet. There's a wide range of opinion in the party.
What is really going on is a hardheaded (and sometimes hysterical) appraisal by conservatives about whether the Republicans are (or can be brought around to) representing some serious conservative values.
I am still hopeful that they can be brought around so I am still dealt in. But, to be honest, I am a lot less sanguine about that than I was a few years ago.
I've seen how things work from the inside over the past few years. There is no question that the money in the party has ruthlessly worked to exclude principled conservatives (I'm not talking Pat Robertsons here) from candidacy and decision-making influence in the party. Simply put, principled conservatism is the best single way of making sure that your opponent in the primary gets money from the RNC. That has come from the top-down. The party is not a better place for it and the fall-out is a lot of bitter conservatives who are wondering if the Republican party even wants them.
Conservatives, by and large, aren't dumb or hysterical. We understand that progress is made in small steps--sometimes you even have to take two back to move forward again. The problem is that the footprints have generally headed left for the past five years. I really question whether the folks who control the money spigots in the party are interested in even baby-steps to the right.
If they are not and if conservatives cannot make them behave, then the sole remaining rationale for being a republican is that the democrats suck even more. I'm not sure I will be willing to spend my nights and weekends year round working without pay for that 'principle' because at that point, America cannot be saved--the only question is how quickly we reach the sewer because that's where both parties are taking us.
At that point, it is time for either: (1) quiet resignation to living out your life in a declining culture and doing your best to help your children lead a godly life in the midst of decline or (2) Peasants with pitchforks--and I'm too old to wield a pitchfork :)--I'll have to leave that to the youngsters.
I'm more conservative than the Pres. but undertand fully the important role incrementalism play. In fact, most of us are. That must be really frustrating to a lot of people. This also goes back to perception, where our own ideologies affect our own perception of where the PRes. should go.
Like you, I am worried about the state of the GOP. While I am satisfied with the President, we have been backstabbed on and off by RINOs and others in Congress. Part of the reason why the country is not heading as right or fast as it should is becuase of a GREAT lack of party discipline (ANWR, SS reform, terrorist coddle ammendment, etc).
The party is a lot less conservative but I'm glad that good conservative men do get through. We just have to circumvent the elites and RINOs.
I'll help you with the fork. :)