I was actually a Young Republican in high school, but on the fiscal side. The religiosity was not for me. Pastors and other "pious" people were getting caught in sex scandals back in the 80s too.

Corporate money flows to each side, in varying degrees. They hedge their bets. And with super PACs and such, I don't think a single politician on the federal level would pass a purity test. Elections themselves have become an industry. It's tough.