Plus Sen Snowe’s sudden retirement screwed us up too. I know she often votes with the Dems but it would have been a GOP seat at least, and one vote against Soiled Harry for majority leader.
I like many Tea Party ideas but I agree it is better to be pragmatic at times. As you say, if Republicans had nominated stronger candidates in 2010 we might have won CO and NV. Even though Mike Castle was indeed “moderate,” it would have been one more vote for Mitch McConnell for majority leader. Even if Republicans hadn’t taken a majority their numbers would be stronger. Now with a mere 45 seats they are going to have to hope the Dems’ numbers absolutely nosedive in less than 2 years if they have any hope of gaining the 6 they need to get to 51.
There was absolutely no energy in VA for retread Allen (or Kaine, really). NoVA was fraud central from the way it sounds. I hope they put up somebody decent to go after Warner in 2014, but it will be a real struggle-he doesn’t do much, stays quiet, and was popular as a governor. The only people I could think of to try it would be Cantor or Gov. Bob McDonnell.