My theory for why the GOP has turned on her: They fear people will actually support her run in 2012 against Obama, which leaves two possible outcomes… A) she loses the election for the Republican Party
B) she wins the election and becomes President Both of which are unacceptable and they’d rather get her out of the way now, before people get behind her, so they can find a good choice for a candidate instead.

Well of course she got smeared. She was dealing with Republicans.

Being thrown to the wolves might be a more appropriate metaphor.