IMO the Republican establishment has consciously decided that their pickings are richer as a minority party under the status quo than as a majority party that provides limited, competent government.

I usually disagree with the Democrats’ policies and I dislike PC elitist liberals, but I loathe the Republican party, which afaic has lied to and betrayed me starting with the 1988 read-my-lips campaign.

George W. concludes his piece with

Republicans should try to choose the next president. They cannot avoid choosing how their party will define itself, even if by a loss beneath a worthy banner. [emphasis mine--gs]

In view of their record, I could care less how they define themselves. Presumably they’ll brandish the cross and wave the flag as usual. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel? That is sooo 18th-century. Today’s “conservative” scoundrels take refuge in patriotism from the get-go.
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It feels like the two major parties are arguing about which one will deliver the slower rate of national decline.