And John Kerry was winning in the early exit polls, too. You don't count your chickens...
This was a PERFECT time to cull a rino, even if you assume, arguendo, that we would have lost the seat to Hoeffel (unlikely in my view).
There is never a good time to forfeit control of a Senate seat. You are unreasonable. The time to "cull a rino" is in the primary, and we darn near did it. I voted for Toomey. But I understand why Bush and Santorum did not support him.
That Rick allowed the party to dictate his endorsement of Arlen over idealogical soulmate Toomey, is unforgiveable.
You would rather there be no purebred conservative senators rather than accepting that there are some political realities that must be faced. One of them is supporting the reelection of fellow members of your own party.
Just don't complain when Casey beats Santorum and Specter dies and Rendell appoints a second democrat senator for us.
We would not have forfeited control of the Senate and I believe that Toomey would have won the statewide election. We would have been infinately better off if Santorum had bothered to stand on his professed principles. If Arlen behaves, moves all nominees out of committee, then I'll eat crow. But I'll bet you dollars to donuts that he'll find an obscure provision in Scottish law that will give him a reason to BORK a nominee or two or three. Time will tell, but it is much to early to give Ricky a pass for his complicity in allowing Arlen to ascend.