And if he would have actively sought support from the NRA of "Christian Conservatives" he would not have been elected Governor and would not have been able to implement any remotely conservative reforms. Sometimes you have to concede some issues in order to win others. Pick your battles.
If he was a hack, he would have hired Fat Matt, not fired him.
I assume his position on abortion during the governor's campaign was not to your liking. I recall he said, that, although he was firmly against abortion 'rights', he would not pursue the issue, because the vast majority of Mass. approves of abortion.
And don't forget Red Ted's false television ads just days before the election.