Once a viable national political force, Republicans they have now sunk to a reduced base of mainly predominantly white, under-educated, fringe radicals, residing in a few southern regressive states. They did it to themselves, and their leaders seem powerless, or unwilling to reverse the trend. Actually they no longer have national "leaders", just individuals more recognizable than others. In place of leaders they just revel in the wisdom of their stars like Joe The Plumber, Sarah Palin, who couldn't even finish one term as governor, and radio hate mongers.
They've convinced themselves that the President isn't even a citizen. He's a socialist. He's a Nazi. Wosre yet, he's a liberal Nazi. They have more conspiracy theories than the National Enquirer. It's as if they've become the party of Sasquatch hunters and UFO spotters. They just love wearing their tin foil hats and barking at the moon.
Their worst fear has arrived. The Democrats have a leader that can actually lead. He's smart, very smart and he's pragmatic. He's informed them, in front of the nation, that when they lie he'll call them out on it. And worst of all, he's an American of color.
The current crop of Republicans really hates an America that could elect such a person. They really hate an America that could feel compassion for our neighbors. They really hate an America that has a social conscience, displayed in actions,.They hate an America that wants to be morally responsible, not just in words, but in actions. It's best illustrated by the town hall crowd in Oklahoma City that actually applauded when Republican Senator Tom Coburn informed a sobbing woman who's insurance company had denied coverage for her husband's brain trauma, and a nursing care facility had moved him out informing them, "You're on your own.", that the government had no responsibility to help her.
That's who they have become. But the good news is, they were rejected in 2008 and they're in the minority, and it's a dwindling minority. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if the Texas Republicans got what they wanted and they were allowed to secede from the United States, creating a haven they could all flock to. It's just a hunch, but I kind of think the remaining Americans would suddenly become huge supporters of border security.