We all dodged a bullet by not electing Romney.

[R.P.McMurphy]

@Onomatopoeia

I think we’ll know after the next midterms. If the Republicans clean the Democrats’ clocks in the midterms, as I believe they will, then we’ll get another Romney clone for the next presidential election. If, on the other hand, they lose seats in the house, or worse, lose the house, then I think pragmatism and self preservation will kick in and we’ll see some new faces come presidential primary time, with more moderates than ideological purists and nut-jobs.

The Pubbies still do have a big tent. They’ve welcomed the misogynists, homophobes, xenophobes, anti-intellectuals, racists, and quite a surprising number of self-hating blacks with open arms, but that’s a short-term strategy, and not a winning one.

With the party’s recent trajectory, if they don’t moderate, I don’t think the Republicans can win another presidential election. They can, however, cause a lot of damage in the midterms.

@TriPolar

You know, I haven’t really considered the mid-terms yet. It will be interesting. I assume the Republicans won’t lose many seats by sticking to the ‘blacks cause high taxes’ theme since most are in safe districts. But they won’t lose those either if they moderate the message. Congressional races are very local, so they can maintain different national and local messaging. It will definitely be interesting to watch it unfold. I hope for destruction of the Republican party so I can start hoping for destruction of the Democrats to follow.

That’s kind of the way I see it. It’s hard for the Presidential party to do well in the mid-terms. I don’t think it will be as resounding as 2010 because I think the novelty of the Tea Party is wearing off. They are their own worst enemy. The Republicans will win some hard fought Senate and House battles. With gerrymandering it will be difficult for the Dems to pick up seats or regain control of the House. If there are 12 million new jobs (Romney’s number) in the next two years then there is a chance for the Dems to have a successful 2014.

That being said, the Republicans have to make some fundamental changes in their message and their platform if they ever want to regain the White House.