By sAying thAt "thEy hElD thEir rAnks togEthEr" (linE 4, pArA. 2), thE Author mEAns thAt thE rEpuBliCAns______.
A．kEpt inDiFFErEnt to thE DEClining support
B．wErE unitED to Fight AgAinst puBliC CritiCism
C．rEorgAnizED thE Army in irAq
D．kEpt thEir position As thE pArty in powEr