[Lee'sGhost]

I don’t understand that thinking. Having Castle as a win in the Senate would be like if Ted Kennedy had changed his affiliation to Republican and still voted as a socialist. It’s not about having the most “R”s; it’s about having the most conservatives/patriots. If Castle had won the primary and won tonight the GOP would have won the ILLUSION of having won the Senate...and nothing more.

[TexasGreg]

I don’t understand that thinking. Having Castle as a win in the Senate would be like if Ted Kennedy had changed his affiliation to Republican and still voted as a socialist. It’s not about having the most “R”s; it’s about having the most conservatives/patriots. If Castle had won the primary and won tonight the GOP would have won the ILLUSION of having won the Senate...and nothing more.

The GOP would have won control of the Senate, hence the power to select who chairs the various committees, including (most especially) Judiciary. Yes, Castle would have been the poster child of all RINOs, but his caucusing with the GOP would have ensured that Senate Chairmanships would have been in the hands of the GOP, control of the agenda would have been in the hands of the GOP, and nonsense like nuclear options to overcome Fillerbustering would be put to rest.

In short, as sick as it makes me to admit it, a RINO like Castle would have had a use in a tight Senate where control of the Senate teeters on a one or two Senator margin.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

It’s not about having the most “R”s; it’s about having the most conservatives/patriots.

First, you need to get control of the committees and chairmanships - that's where the power in the Senate and House resides. Those positions get to decide WHICH bills even come up for vote, before any RINO or Democrat can vote for it.

You need the most Rs first, before your conservatives can do squat. Castle would have at least caucused with the GOP meaning DeMint and other deep conservatives would be heading those committees, rather than Democrats.

Having 49 strong conservatives in the Senate means nothing, if they cannot set the agenda.