This could well be a turning point.
If the Republican party caves on this, what reason do any of us have to support the Republican party any longer?
The Republicans should be allowed to dissolve, as the Whig Party dissolved in the 1850s.
While there have been two major political parties for most of our history, the two parties have not always been today’s Democrat and Republican parties.
There’s no reason why the two parties have to be Republicans and Democrats. There’s no reason why we can’t have more than two major parties.
If the Republicans cave, what is the reason for being, the reason for the existence of the Republican party?
I certainly would be open to joining a new party which believed in conservative values/limited government/individual liberty.
History tells us the Republican party formed in the 1850s at the same time as the Whig Party was falling apart. A number of early Republicans were Whigs.
So why can’t we have a new conservative movement or party form, from disaffected Republicans and conservatives today?
And not saying I want to see a conservative 3rd party. I really want a conservative 2nd party which would challenge the Democrats. Not really wanting to see a 3rd party conservative party which simply weakens the Republicans and leaves the Democrats entrenched.
I think you're right. However, I think the Republicans probably won't cave; but we need to keep pressure on them.