“ejected Hightower loyalists”
Hightower was one piece of work. He even had a radio syndication before air america that would rival the best put out by Pravda. I recall one of his loyal listeners, of which there were perhaps 20, calling in and telling him to go for the limosine solution which was if you see a limo, pull the guy out and shoot him. That was in line with this clowns politics, to the left of Lenin.
KBH in my memory has never gone out on any limb, to any greater or lesser extent, for any deeply conservative candidate or serving conservative legislator. Her pro-Choice stand may be mostly what is behind her reluctance, but she is always been noticeably “establishment”, and a great disappointment on so many occasions. Totally self-serving is her mode of operation.