"Second, it's becoming increasingly obvious that a hypocritical, cynical attitude towards the values of the Religious Right is prevalent in the highest levels of the Republican Party. I can't imagine that the Religious Right likes being played for fools."
I suspect that the country-clubbers who dominate the Party treat principled conservatives (not just religious ones) the way the Demonrats do blacks: Keep them agitated, but do nothing to improve their lot. They came to me with their scare tactics "vote for me or the Dems will raise taxes and....". This from the Party which refused to push action against Sandy Burglar, which collaborates on legislation with Ted Kennedy, whose ex-Pres. pals around with Bubba Clinton, etc. I sometimes think they don't even want to stop abortion because they can push that button and rally the Religious Right again and again. (I voted for them anyway, because of the war.)
Hellbender, as someone who used to work for the Republicans on Capitol Hill, I can assure you that the so-called "Country Clubbers" do not look down on social conservatives the way you claim. And believe me, I would know since "that type" would assume I'm one of them since I'm from the Northeast, went to an Ivy League school, etc, etc...
Yes, there are surely a few of what I like to call the "Wall Street Republicans" who look at Social Conservatives as a necessary evil, but it is NOT the view of the vast majority of the Republicans working on Capitol Hill or inside the Beltway. You can't everyone love you all the time...LOL. I consider myself a social conservative on most issues, yet some of the people on this forum think of me as "immoral" because I believe in the legalization of Gambling, something I see as a CHOICE like Alcohol or Cigarettes. But even though some social conservatives demonize me over this view, you don't see me taking a negative view of ALL social conservatives. By the same token, don't condemn ALL the so-called Country Clubbers because some of them hold poor opinions of religion.
I think you are onto something. Good insight.
You said so much in that one post.
I suspect that the country-clubbers who dominate the Party treat principled conservatives (not just religious ones) the way the Demonrats do blacks: Keep them agitated, but do nothing to improve their lot.I sometimes think they don't even want to stop abortion because they can push that button and rally the Religious Right again and again.
Those two sentences are key and I think you have squarely hit the nail on the head and driven it home!