None of the moderates get it. If they want the Republican nomination you have to be a conservative not a weak moderate. I know some of them turn out not so great but at least be conservative untill you run.
I had almost this same discussion with a Graham staffer in January; I told him flat out that they need to understand that MOST of us are what you would call "Bush Republicans" and that stabbing Bush in the back was NOT going to win them any popularity votes because we all felt like we had been robbed in 2000 of a "real" 4 year term for Bush and, now that he won so big in 2004, we DEMANDED that they support him for four years so he can get his agenda through.
Honest to goodness, they just do NOT get it; I told this same person that there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that could EVER make me vote for McCain under any circumstance and I swear to you, they were FLOORED that I wouldn't support him if he was the nominee.
My position is that WE worked for this four years and I damn well expect THEM to support HIM.