Peaslee, like many RINOs and other assorted "republicans" are republicans on one issue and only republicans because of that issue. Abortion.
Bill was a student of mine many years ago in Southern Pines, where I used to teach. I haven't kept up with him, so I can't say what he currently stands for, but he was very conservative back in his high school days, which was something of a rarity. I do wish him well.
That seems to be the ruler by which the media measures "conservatives" these days as well. If they mouth the right words to some hot-button social issue, they are immediately dubbed conservative and everyone to the right of center is brow-beaten to adopt them without question.
Are we really as stupid as the political and media classes think we are?