This is more tricky than it appears. A RINO still votes with their nominal party for the majority control of the legislative bodies. If they are the swing vote, and they change from R to D (or the reverse) the whole constellation of all the committee chairmanships changes. The chairmanships determine and move legislation. They frame the agenda of the bodies. Thus purifying the party could have the effect of keeping Nancy Palosi and Harry Reid (and Barney Frank, and …) in power.
Seniority is a powerful part of the process, as it determines who is chairman of the committees, etc.. Fifteen years of seniority should not be needlessly squandered.
It is therefore ill advised to simply dismiss the unorthodox and drive them into the arms of the opposition. Better to win them over to party orthodoxy by persuasion. After all, principles are more persuasive than force.
Example in point, Bush’s loss of Jim Jeffers in ’00 by trying to strong-arm him into orthodoxy. The perceived slight damaged Bush’s ability to drive legislation for the remainder of his term of office.
I believe conservative ideals are more powerful, more proven and more in the ascendancy than socialist ideas. Experienced politicians will be aware of this and adjust their positions in response to the trend. I think I see this in Snowe’s changing voting behavior (moving from pro-stimulus to against ObmanaCare). She is no longer a reliable leftist vote and will likely keep moving as times change. Lets win her heart to the true orthodox constitutional principles that she swore to uphold in her oath of office.
