The Republican leadership/elite is [a little] upset it didn't win, they figured that they could get their liberal (Romney) in by relying on the dissatisfaction of the [conservative] base... unfortunately for them it seems they "misunderestimated" the amount of people who, like me, have said "I'm not going to vote for someone only 'because the other guy's worse.'"
But we shouldn't be surprised at all, the push for Romney by the leadership/elite (including dirty, dirty politics) shows us just how much they value their base: they don't, they're obviously entitled to our vote. [/GOPe-think -- I need a shower now.]
That's why a lot of tax paying American citizens don't bother to vote. They don't think it'll make a difference. They get screwed from both sides every time.
When was the last time a republican eliminated an oppressive liberal social program? They had plenty of chances, but did noting at all the free the slaves. In fact, they added even more burdens instead.
The tax slaves have no one to vote FOR. They haven't since the day the politicians discovered they could take funds from one group and use those funds to buy votes for themselves from another.
Now we have three individual groups. The slaves, the elites, the freeloaders and their purchased votes.
The slaves produce, the funds go to buy votes from the freeloaders, and the elites get to keep living in power and luxury. It's just one big pyramid.
Chaos is breaking out because the elites have bleed the tax slaves dry, and the entire house of political power is starting to fall. Without slaves - the other two groups begin to starve.