“till he got blackmailed.”
It’s interesting that you don’t read more speculation along those lines. I’ve suspected it myself, but never heard anyone else mention it.
It was a bit of a night and day shift in 2006.
First all fire and special elections and budget battles (against a Dem majority) then suddenly he hires a staff of Democrats.
I never understood that thing about him sleeping with the maid. She wasn’t even cute.