“It is more a matter of “Northern” and “Left Coast” RINOs against the will of the rest of the country.”
Unfortunately there is also an ample supply of Southern RINO’s. I’m surprised you hadn’t noticed.
And Western, too, but I see that as resulting from a reflex action, just pulling the lever for the big "R", which didn't happen as much in 06 as you might notice- Many Blue Dog Dems got in because the South/West/Mdwest no longer trust the Republicans and they are now paying attention.
There is also a certain "city-creep", where mega-cities are beginning to influence the state- Missouri is getting hard to keep because of the population of St. Louis and Kansas City. But Missouri, outside of the city, is still much as it has always been.