I lost my respect for Bob Dole after hearing him tell the story of why he got into politics. When he was younger and a bit more charismatic, he was approached by Kansas Democrats encouraging him to run for office. They told him he had the makings of a good political leader. Dole took them up on their advice, but decided to run as a Republican instead because Kansas elected Republicans.
Nothing about ideals. Nothing about conviction. Nothing about conservatism. Only that he became a Republican only because it was easier to get into office in Kansas as a Republican.