He plays to whatever audience can help him. Like all of them. He’s a good talker; his conservatism was never all too deep.
Another swamp vote whore
Politicians will do what they do; they want to get re-elected, and will soften positions to get re-elected.
I think this last re-election, by such a narrow margin, makes him think he can’t be a staunch conservative and win next time.
Reminds me of an age old question — are the politicians there to represent their constituents, or there because they want to have power?
Are the conservative ones there representing their conservative values, or do they moderate their views, so as to attract more liberal voters on election day, and get re-elected?
It has been under question for a long time. The committee he chaired was where good conservative issues went to die. Was he always an infiltrator, saying a few of the vote-getting things during campaigns? Probably.