But Frist has the authority as Leader to define this issue as a Litmus Test vote for every member of his caucus. By doing so he would have the backing of the President, the Vice President, the national party machinery and the "juice" advocacy organizations.
Torie, he is the best person to make it clear to each of the RINOs that they can fall in line, or face the destruction of their careers. It's hard to imagine even the most soft-headed among them -- Snowe, Collins, Chaffee -- failing to understand that they too will face another sort of Nuclear Option ... in primary season.
Sen. Frist needs to be spending more time as a Hard Ass, Top-Down Leader, and less time as a Touchy Feely Negotiator.
Frist does not have the power to destroy Senate careers. Senators get their basis of support locally, and from interest groups. Senators are quite independent actors. That would be an empty threat.
Destruction of their careers. LOL! What do you think will be the response from such threats?
Chaffee, Snowe & Collins to Frist: We'll run as Democrats.
McCain to Frist: I'll be a hero on the alphabet networks.
Hagel to Frist: Global tyrants will make me the head of the U.N.
Let's get real. A little reality check. It's not Frist's fault. The fact of the matter is we've got at least half a dozen RINO's in the Senate and we've got a bunch of no-nothing voters who will vote for such...even in states like Arizona and Nebraska.