Bottom line: ‘Cuda likes to win and a Rino who can win is better than losing to a Maoist. Sheer political calculation which pisses off the purists who would rather go down in flames. Most of them are either too young or don’t remember the compromises Reagan made as both governor and president.
I think it’s keeping in mind the first objective: crushing the power of the Democrat Party. It must be utterly destroyed in 2010. Once that objective is achieved, there are further objectives to pursue (something I suspect the “Class of ‘94” forgot).
First win a decisive victory in 2010. Then get ready for a violent temper tantrum from the Left. Do not even try to make nice with the rabid left, it only enboldens them. Use their temper tantrum to deliver the final blow in 2012. At the same time hold the rest of the Republican Party’s feet to the fire.