But then the conservative tide rolled back in.

In retrospect, then, the 2004 election looks like the high-water mark of a conservative tide that is now receding.

Instead, every four years party loyalists throw themselves behind a presidential candidate who they believe will deliver them from the rising conservative tide.

Moreover, he argues, the conservative tide is still rising.

But recently, as the conservative tide has continued to swell, this campaign has taken on a broader scope.

"A conservative tide has been sweeping through the church, and I'm not ready to abandon the decision-making to that group."

General Filatov seems to be riding high on the conservative tide.

But those successful early efforts, instead of being strengthened, were undermined by the conservative political tide of the past several years.

These days, though, he has turned his attention to mobilizing churches nationwide against the conservative tide.

But doesn't he ever feel bitter about the rising conservative tide in the country?