It is not a question of 'throwing anyone under the bus', it is a question of being willing to take a hit for the team, defined as the people of the country and the Party. Democratic Senators from 'red states' are going to have to stand up and put their seats at risk, and if they do not, will deserve every calumny of cowardice and corruption and petty self-serving that has traditionally been directed at them here from the left. It has been my practice to defend such people here on occasion from such charges, arguing that is necessary to preserve their seats for a future battle on decent odds. Well, the time of that battle is now. No fight was ever won without casualties.

"The art of war consists in a well-reasoned and extremely circumspect defense, followed by audacious attack."