Yes, they quit. They saw the writing on the wall; saw we conservatives would not stand with them, and chose to not sacrifice themselves for those who would sit silently and watch them and their families be publicly lynched.
Yes, pundits can have their opinions. They are also responsible for the reactions to those opinions. They demanded a RINO and got one. But they cannot coerce people to vote. And they wer etold loud and clear after 2008 "NO MORE".
But you seem to not hold them to account for ignoring the will of the conservative voter; you only criticize the conservative voter for having the courage to vote his or her convictions.
Sounds like the Republicans want a voter plantation like the Democrats have, but are trying to use the fear of "greater evil" rather than "lost entitlements" to keep them in line.