The religious left has always been there, but it has become subverted and marginalized by well funded groups of right wingers. Jimmy Carter appealed to religous folks because he was a kind, generous man. GWB or any of his ilk would never build a house for someone unless a camera was there.
The religious right plays into people's bigotry: God hates gays and brown people. Check out townhall.com, it sez: tolerance bad, education bad, war good. Oh, and women dont have any rights. I was at a wedding where the pastor made sure to say three times that the woman was the mans servant.
Or check this out, its tangentially related.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/5/30/153115/873
Are people waking up was your question/point, Russ. I'd say we'll see if the same gay marriage on the ballot trick works again.
My Pastor is liberal, but a wuss. He'd never say anything political.