Well I live in Florida and his political future is still shakey at best. But with all his image PR and pro conservative legislation here of late, he might be able to fool enough stupid rank and file members that he really is conservative and not owned by the Bush wing of his party like his DC counterparts are.
The elites in the Republican party count on two thigs: stupidity and short memory.
And they must endure the problem of narrow minded purist conservatives that live by enhancing teir own self esteem