I had not thought about your idea that the GOP elites wanted to shrink the tent and get the Tea Party out. But now that you mention it, it makes a lot of sense.
For some Washington men victory at all cost is a simple career choice. Others and i think, most Washington men that is, have a genuine interest in the power of their Government as that directly impacts the power of their insider influence.
The nature of both lawyers and lobbiest being the overwhelming bulk of the former, future, and present politicians seems to only further reinforce the notion that not only as a presently composed group but as individuals these people have a vested interest in the power of their respective governments. Power that directly translates in to both their present(in office) and future(out of office) influence.
Unfortunately we cannot hope to fight this corruption directly. Human nature is a funny thing in that it is so consistent and predominate in driving the minds of men, men we as a group can never hope to replace before their replacements too become pawns of the same game. Our path to victory must therefore heng upon a completely different plan of attack. One that utilizes the self-interest and greed of men against them. In short one that pits 1 group against the other and favors the group we as individuals can most control.(the more local due to individual feet vote)