None of these top-down tactics from RINOs - or even conservatives for that matter - mean much without good candidates. Dole, McCain and Romney lost not just because they were RINOs. They lost because they were duds and could not persuade enough people to rally behind them. A huge percentage out there don’t know the difference between a RINO, DINO or CINO. But they know a lousy used car salesman when they see it. In fact I would go further and say our side needs more than great candidates. We need extraordinary candidates just to offset Santa Claus on the other side.
Since the beginning of the country, the elite has sought to control government by such means. But ere is an iron law of society: monopolies always break down because elites divide into factions, and the leader who can recruit enough none-elite supporters will win elections. The secret is organization. Donors love an organized candidate, and if he is articulate they will gravitate to him. I saw how Ted Cruz won. If Rick Santorum had had half of his ability, he would with his drive have won the nomination.Even regional primaries are not insurmountable obstacles if the candidate can press enough flesh.