Perhaps, I was speculating as to whether or not Bush had been counting votes.
even if we lost, would have rallied conservatives who are the key to the 2006 election. This took the wind out of their sails.
If by “took the wind out of their sails” you mean they will not show up for the 2006 elections then they are neither truly conservative nor very mature. One wins elections by getting more votes than the other side. If one expects that the side they agree with more to always do what they want then that person will always be disappointed, out of power, or both.
The only place that conservatives can wield power is from within the Republican Party; if whenever we do not get our way we take ball and go home we will lose the gains we have made. I do not agree with everything Bush has done, or is doing, but I – gladly – voted for him twice because he was way better than the much less conservative option; politics is the art of the possible and grand battle royals are not always, or even usually, conducive to victory.
Sometimes you have to take one step back to take two forward.