McNamara tried to switch camps late in the game, too. He begged forgiveness and put his “apology” in a book and took it on tour.
Pat is doing the same thing. He long ago became a liability to the moderate/middle-of-the-road Republicans who valued office over principles and doing right by the American People and the Constitution. Being an all or nothing pouty guy, he feels betrayed by the party. He believes he is doing with his tongue on the talk shows what Martin Luther did with with his theses on the church door.
I attribute the root cause of Bob’s and Pat’s behavior to a bitterness born of regrets realized in later stages of the aging process.
Well said ... and very perceptive.