I'm still not convinced there was an actual revolt. Really the whole thing swung on about a dozen elections which the GOP lost by razor margins. The GOP did pretty much nothing to help themselves out in 2006 (like making the Dems obstruct them on something so they had a good hook to nationalize the election on) and yet the Dems hit par for a year 6 mid-term. This just doesn't strike me as a revolt.
But is congress (RINOs/CINOs/Leftists alike) convinced there was a revolt.
Actually, I suspect you are right. But there is a significant faction on FR who did revolt or at least justify doing so. They may have had little effect but that doesn't make their ideas any less silly.