That almost always how it happens. Republicans need to place the pawn first. Then tale the Dem $$$, then screw them. Then the Dens will not funnel money into that channel.
Your first mistake is to refer to Republicans as a monolithic whole, with the same goal in mind. There are those who believe that Rove, the GOPe, and Bill Bolling, lt governor who was POd that Ken got the nod instead of him, actively worked to aid McAuliffe to victory.
Yes. And a painful reminder that the ONLY reason that Bubba Clinton ever became President is H. Ross Perot.