I have no "smarmy remarks" explain.
Frist speaking a little common sense is sufficient to unleash a jihad against him from the hysterical who seem perfectly willing to destroy what progress the GOP has made over the last decade. He can join their enemies list with W and Jeb and be castigated for not ignoring Law and rationality as they have been.
Rational thought is apparently on vacation. One can only hope that Sen. Frist carries the day in the long run.