Yes. The kingmaking began in the wake of 2004. The Rats already started talking about closing the “God Gap”. That was what they saw to the secret to winning the mushy middle.
Except Barack is a secular humanist who does not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ or salvation through Jesus.
I'd venture to say it began earlier than that. Possibly in the wake of 2000. Certainly before the polls closed in 2004.