"THE LEGACY"

The Carpetbagger Report quotes this story and says it "sounds like it warrants some follow-up":

Two of the leading GOP presidential contenders took time out of their frenetic fundraising schedules late last week to address "Legacy," a group of wealthy conservative Christians that operate below the radar screen. Sen. John McCain spoke to a dinner gathering of the organization in Washington -- where they're meeting -- on Thursday night and former Gov. Mitt Romney addressed them at a lunch in the Willard hotel Friday afternoon, a member said....

By dint of their considerable wealth -- and access to the wealth of others -- they've made themselves into a political force in the GOP. But most members don't care to make themselves known to the broader public, so they've gone to lengths to avoid the sort of media attention that comes with a group influential enough to have presidential hopefuls come make their case -- and take questions.

Well, I don't have much to add, but I did find this Hotline story from early '06, written at the time of a Legacy conference (which had Mitt Romney as one of its guests):

...According to several participants in this week's conference -- one of whom is a member -- the Legacy's origins are humble. In 2003, a half-dozen conservative couples -- regular donors to conservative and Republican causes and campaigns -- decided to pull together a network of like-minded families. They were inspired by Pres. Bush's call for "compassionate conservatism," which they interpreted broadly. The group decided to convene private meetings, where candidates seeking their financial support would take questions on subjects ranging from the environment to the death penalty to slavery in the third world. And if candidates demonstrated their commitment to the same principles, the group would reward them by bundling donations from its members to their campaigns. In '04, the group steered money to Senate candidates John Thune in SD and Mel Martinez in FL. (A senior Republican campaign official says the group was a "great help.") This year, Sen. Rick Santorum and MD LG Michael Steele will get the bundled donations.

Doesn't sound too far off the right edge, by modern standards. But, er, the Legacyites won't say who the members are -- although Hotline confirmed that one member is "Walden Media billionaire Phillip Anschutz."

Who is Anschutz? Well, he's a principal funder of the Discovery Institute, which, of course, tries to put a scientific face on "intelligent design." (McCain has already delivered a speech at a Discovery confab). Bill Berkowitz notes that

Anschutz-related entities have helped bankroll a number of ultraconservative political organizations, including: Colorado for Family Values (CFV) -- the organization behind Amendment 2, Colorado's notorious anti-gay constitutional amendment approved by the voters in 1992 and later overturned by the US Supreme Court.

How do you get to be a member? Back to the Hotline:

Membership is uniquely restrictive. Applicants must be recommended by a current member, who must also vouch for their bona fides. Members must profess their belief in God and pledge their fealty to conservative principles guided by Judeo-Christian values. Most are Protestants; a majority is evangelical. Prospective members must agree to champion small government, a strong national defense and the free-market system. And applicants must be identified leaders in their chosen field, able to influence others and willing to devote themselves to the Legacy's mission. That usually means they are rich. Several conservatives familiar with the group say a proximate Legacy goal is to identify and nurture the next generation of conservative philanthropists -- the heirs to the Scaifes, the Bradleys and the Olins. Legacy intends for 80 percent of its membership to be under 50 years old, so it is always recruiting.

The conventional wisdom is that the religious right is dying because its leading figures are too old and new blood isn't coming in. This group clearly exists to reverse that trend. Expect "lite" Falwellism from them, as they try to maintain fundamentalism's grip on power.