Despite the disagreements many of the narrowly-focused constituencies on the right have with President Bush, there seems to be an overall appreciation of his character, integrity, and his unwavering commitment to U.S. national security. There also seems to be an understanding that Bush, like Reagan, is helping to facilitate a continued shift toward conservatism in U.S. public opinion.
Today, many conservatives say, American public opinion is shifting their way, so there is no reason to be impatient — or to pressure Mr. Bush into doing things before the election that might hurt him next year.
"The Republicans are looking at decades of dominance in the House and the Senate, and having the presidency with some regularity," Mr. Norquist said. "So if this year the tax cut isn't the one we wanted — no biggie. There's a sense that we can afford to wait."
This tolerance of Bush only runs so deep, of course, and if the economy doesn't enjoy a robust recovery the President can't afford to have conservative groups sitting on their hands next November.
Meanwhile, the upside for conservative groups in the coming election is bigger than ever: if the economy does spring back to life and conservatives come out en masse for the President, it could produce a landslide victory and an historic mandate for Bush and his conservative agenda.