Almost looks like they want to lose on purpose for some reason I can’t possibly figure out no matter how hard I try...
They don't really want to govern. They want to be the "opposition." They want to be able to say "we want to do all these wonderful things, but too bad, we are in the minority and the mean old democrats stop us." In reality, they are fine with the democrat agenda. Their "opposition" is insincere.
In other words, the GOP is the Washington Generals. They are playing the role of designated loser in a political clown show. And that's what they want to be.
And I suspect you knew that all along.