Problem is that most of the 'principled' voters have bailed ship, making the case for the realpolitikers much easier. If D66 doesn't find a new face, the party is gone as a national political party of consequence- 3 seats is just too little.

The charm of D66 used to be that is was a true moderate party- progressive on social issues, more conservative on fiscal issues. They also have a certain air, a sense of reason in their candidates- call it intellectualism- that made it appealing for the better educated. This is the reason that they won 17 seats in 1994- the year the Christians were decapitized. They've lost that appeal now they have helped Balkenende II (his second government) in power.

All kind of old celebrity politicians from the past, from old leaders to founders, have argued that D66 really doesn't have any reason for being anymore. It was never intented as a regular political party- they wanted to shake up politics, make it more transparant- better. But try tell that to people who spent their life working themselves up the ranks :)