The traitorous NJ republican machine facilitated the election of a sweaty little democrat rather than see a conservative republican outsider take the governorship. For this, I - and every other conservative NJ republican - will cast a jaundiced eye toward any Bush courting of NJ republican RINO hacks.
And I've said as much to the RNC when they hit me up for donations TWICE since November. Screw them all.
P.S. This appointment is specifically a slap in the face of all conservatives who complained directly to the RNC about their abandonment of Bret Schundler. To hire into the national party one of the NJ players who helped sabotage Schundler's election DOES NOT bode well for the election of any conservative republicans for the forseeable future.
Basically, I agree with your sentiments. Party in the end means nothing to me, because "sometimes party asks too much" (JFK).
I am a conservative before I am a republican, and I believe that if he is in charge of the purse strings he will be willing and able to influence the size of legislators coffers, and subsequently policy. I like GW, but I will only follow his lead so far. They won't have to ask me to leave; I will be long gone. I know that I am just one voter and that my vote really doesn't mean that much, contrary to the perpetual protestations of the "get out the vote" people.
Maybe the Rudmans and the McCains of the GOP are right; there is no place at their table for us. That's ok with me. I'm not that keen on the cuisine they plan to serve.