They might also consider how the Tea Party, and Sarah Palin, were made unwelcome at the convention. As is often the case, the party bent over backwards so far to avoid offending the 'moderates' that they ended up offending millions of their loyal base.
That might be the biggest factor in the loss, among others, but the elites and snobs will admit that. They're incurably obsessed with the Latino vote and the need (according to them) for amnesty.