Well, first let's get the language straight. There's nothing "pragmatic" about kicking your base in the face and nominating a stupid jerk who is more liberal than the Democrat just because some operative owes her a favor. Pragmatic means sensible, and this nomination was nothing but STUPID.
Second, there's nothing finicky or "purist" about opposition to abortion and gay marriage and big union worship. Would the Democrats sit still while their party bosses nominated a candidate who said that he hated gays and wanted to murder them? Well, we won't sit still when they nominate a woman who wants to help Obama kill more babies, or force gay activists on the military, or push for gay marriage.
This was a basic mistake on the part of the Republican leadership, local and national. They've done this sort of thing repeatedly, and eviscerated the party as a result. It's time to tell them "enough." This woman must lose, whether or not the Conservative candidate wins. And everyone involved must go.
Nailed it.
Re: post 39, thank you Cicero, extremely well stated.