The way for the Republicans to look like they are trying to win IS to promise more and better goodies seized from other Republicans. The reason people should vote for us is that we will bring Socialism, but of a much better kind, since we are nicer people. Our slogan? "Hey, We're Not as bad as the other party and have family values, too."
Who said we are supposed to win? The role of the GOP is not to win national elections, but to protect safe seats in carefully constructed Republican districts so that the establishment RINO group maintains a good seat at the table where the swag is divided up. Running the government is the Democrats' job. We make sure they keep it and they take care of us and our corporate constituents. Very good care indeed.
There is another crucial role that must be played by the GOP in elections. In primaries, the GOP must savage Conservative Extremists; rip them to shreds, outspend them 20-1, withold party funds from them; and make sure they go down to ignominious defeat. Furthermore the GOP must then ensure that those who voted for them stay home on election day.
Sowell's sort of thinking is preposterously out of line. Ask Karl Rove.
Yep, Dr. Sowell’s line of thinking is definitely out of line with Tokyo Rove’s. ;-)
This and everything else in your post may not be what the GOPe says. But it sure sounds like what they do!