The GOPe (and the UniParty) think that it's 1955, and that the populace both sides will accept some political turd stuffed down their throats. The arrogance and tone-deafness is at once appalling and infuriating.
I really think they are responding to unknown imperatives and aren't the least bit interested in what the public thinks. They are trying to save their political careers - and calm the fury of those who bought and paid for them.