Bush playing fundamentists as chumps?

Just saw news that the former head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has written a book.

It's not out yet, but it looks like it vindicates a major point in Thomas Frank's What's the matter with Kansas.

This point (restated by Frank Rich):

"Values," Mr. Frank writes, "always take a backseat to the needs of money once the elections are won." Under this perennial "trick," as he calls it, Republican politicians promise to stop abortion and force the culture industry "to clean up its act" - until the votes are counted. Then they return to their higher priorities, like cutting capital gains and estate taxes.

Olbermann quoted on The Hotline, of all places, discussing the book:

And MSNBC's Olbermann had a preview of a new book from the former No. 2 man in Pres. Bush's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives. David Kuo's "Tempting Faith" will be out 10/16.

Olbermann: "Kuo cites one example after another of a White House that repeatedly uses Evangelical Christians for their votes while consistently giving them nothing in return."

More Olbermann: "According to Kuo, Karl Rove's office referred to Evangelical leaders as the 'nuts.' Kuo says, 'National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then were dismissed behind their backs and described as ridiculous, out of control and just plain goofy.' So, how does the Bush White House keep the 'nuts' turning out at the polls? One way, regular conference calls with groups lead by Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Ted Haggard, and radio hosts like Michael Reagan. ... They did get some things from the Bush White House, like the National Day of Prayer. ... Or 'Little trinkets like cufflinks or pens or pads of paper were passed out like business cards. Christian leaders could give them to their congregations or donors or friends to show just how influential they were.'"

Olbermann: "When cufflinks were not enough, the White House played the Jesus card, reminding Christian leaders that 'The knew the president's faith' and begging for patience. ... The office was literally a taxpayer funded part of the Republican
campaign machinery. In 2002 Kuo says, 'The office decided to hold roundtable events for threatened incumbents with faith and community leaders. Using the aura of our White House power to get a diverse group of faith and community leaders to a 'nonpartisan' event discussing how best to help poor people in their area.'"

More: "White House Political Affairs Director Ken Mehlman, 'Loved the idea and gave us our marching orders. There were 20 targets.' Including Saxby Chambliss in Georgia, and John Shimkus in Illinois. Mehlman devised a cover-up for the operation. He told Kuo, 'It can't come from the campaigns, that would make it look too political. It needs to come from the congressional offices. We'll take care of that by having our guys call the office to request the visit'" ("Countdown," 10/11).[EMILY GOODIN]

Thomas Frank actually goes further to say that Republicans promise to do things, like end abortion, that they know they can't do, and they don't really try that hard anyway.