I’m assuming Bennett is a RINO.
Not so much. That is one of the things that makes this kind of extraordinary. His sins were two-fold ... Bennett had voted for TARP, the infamous "troubled assets relief program," and he had cosponsored a limp-wristed version of obamacare. That coupled with his promise on first being elected that he would seek only two terms, and this was actually his fourth.
Overall, his fellow Utahans were not so happy with his recent shenanigans. He drew the least support of three candidates at the state convention.
But, but... Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, says Bob Bennett is “one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate”!
The Tea Party movement is all about forcing Republicans to return to their roots. We don't want to work with the Democrats or make liberal legislation more conservative. It's this compassionate conservatism, reaching across the aisle crap causing frustration that in large part is driving this movement.