What we're seeing on the Right today...
...is a realization that doubling, tripling, QUADRUPLING down on the angry older white christian male vote is NOT a viable strategy for winning elections anymore. And for the rank and file, I still don't think it's sunk in yet.
It's not that black and latino voters (and let's not forget about asian, middle eastern, native american voters and so forth) have a natural, inborn bias against Republicans. They've been actively pushed away, directly or indirectly, by opportunistic conservatives who at some point decided that scapegoating minorities was a great way to endear themselves to their base. Throw in some umbrage at demographics that transcend racial identity, such as gay, intellectual, and unreligious voters, and you have a fantastic strategy for turning your light red district into a DARK red district. It's effective because many older white christian guys love being reminded that, not too long ago, they used to basically run everything; I know this because I'm related to some.
The glaring problem with this strategy--Black people in Virginia vote. Latino people in Colorado vote. Middle Eastern people in Michigan vote. Asian people in Pennsylvania vote. Gay people in Iowa vote. Their numbers haven't changed that dramatically over the last few years; what's changed is how the GOP mainstream has been treating them. Oh yeah, and let's not forget--LET'S NEVER FORGET--that women vote everywhere. As a result, Romney won the male vote, but Obama won even more of the female vote to render that accomplishment meaningless. You got a wonder at a party that decided their rape/abortion/contraception problem was no big deal.
It should never be forgotten that this country is a nation of immigrants. Many contemporary conservatives would be shocked if they traveled back in time to America's past; they would quickly learn that, due to their Irish or Italian or Jewish heritage, they had suddenly lost their coveted "white American" status. Treating outsiders with contempt is nothing new in America, but it should be noted--neither is the slow, steady transition from untouchable into mainstream. Invariably, the racists and xenophobic are always the losers. And people who fall into the category of Outsider? Well, don't look now, GOP, but one's just been elected President--twice.
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"angry older white christian male"
Well, three out of five for me.
Yes, repugs seem to continue to bank on a dwindling base.
Not very smart.
Tea partiers think they just need to go MORE conservative to win elections.
They need to get out of the Limbaugh et al bubble.
