But it took the present crisis to get conservatives VOTERS at the grassroots (the present Tea Party) off their butts and involved. Because of this people's movement a lot more independents and even some liberals are being coaxed rightward.
If we do get a majority in Congress this year, we the people will have to NOT sit back again or socialism will again creep in.
RE :”LOTS of stuff could have been done at the grass roots over the years to get more conservative Repubs elected (who would have passed SS reform under Bush for example).”
Here’s a perfect example of my previous point. The RNC and GWB campaigned for Spector against Toomey 2004. The primary objective was to keep the seat Republican, even if it is liberal. At the same time in 2004 the leaders of the ‘conservative’ themes at talk radio, are also beating the drums for a ‘conservative’ Bush. There was nothing grass-roots could do with that.
Sell a RINO leader as a conservative
..A socialist leader as a capitalist
...A statist leader as a free marketer
Then organize the grass roots of his party??