Not only were some conservatives, but libertarians also were shut out.
I took that to mean that the leaders were preparing to return the president's smash mouth style in kind and they wanted a rock solid group behind them. Chairmen that can keep control and avoid any freelancing by members trying to make a name for themselves.
(I took that to mean that the leaders were preparing to return the president’s smash mouth style in kind)
Really? Are you sure it wasn’t wishful thinking based on no evidence whatsoever? I determine where politicians stand by their ACTIONS, not their words, or my own wishful thinking. Boehner has never been tough rhetorically on the President, preferring Romney’s way of doing things rather than Gingrich. Seeing as to how the media was not able to demonize Boehner, it might actually have worked, so I don’t fault him for that. I do however fault him for answering Obama’s non-offer offer with a starting bid of $800 Billion in new taxes! WTF? He’s already lost and he hasn’t even started negotiating! ...or maybe taking out tax revenue from the private sector is not that anathema to him. You do the math, but I recommend that you do look at his actions too.
About this whole business of why the 4 conservatives/libertarians were purged. The excuses offered on FR sound like the excuses of a battered wife. Think about it.