The previous post led into consideration of Bush Jr.'s strong base among 'conservative religious groups,' as they are known, and the question of, 'then why are Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho so strongly Bush, and why have they been so strongly republican over the past twenty years?'

As I recalled from a past USA Today special feature entitled Charting the Unchurched in America (Graphic), these states aren't exactly hotbeds of religious conservativism (whatever that may mean). (Although, according to such stats, neither is Colorado, where Colorado Springs has basically become the headquarters of a myriad of conservative evangelical groups) So what's the deal? Is the non-pacific northwest a territory where such groups have a strong voice (or simply a loud one), or are there other reasons for their Republican votes, unknown to me?

Any takers?