They rushed to judgement about the ports deal and ended up on the wrong side of issue.
You won't get reelected if you can't lead.
While they were on the wrong side of the issue and didn't get all the FACTS, I think some of the Pubbies, with their largesse egos, actually thought they were leading. Unfortunately, their charging ahead to get in front of the Dims and and cameras and look like they were deeply concerned about Nat'l Sec doesn't make them leaders in many of our eyes, quite the contrary.