Leaders move polls... Well, we're going to find out.
I hope you're right, and the Republicans don't crater in November, but I doubt that even Reagan himself could have sold this plan in the present climate. At this point, it's about politics, not policy. And if you don't think a critical fraction of Republicans are perfectly capable of staying home on election day in a snit, well, you haven't walked enough Republican precincts yet.
I would submit that Conservative (not particularly Republicans since clearly those terms are not synonymous) could use this issue to our advantage in November. Some polls are now indicating a third party would tie the Democrats and beat the Republicans in '08 if they ran on this issue. I don't think it will work out that way but it does indicate we could significantly influence the '06 elections if we get into the Demo/Rep primaries with candidates running on this issue alone. I think the RINOs are exposed and Blue-dog Democrats like Zell Miller could raise havoc in the primaries...but we should get cracking.