Your comment about the civil war is probably the most likely description of the Dem plan to regain power.
I do think all of Washington republicans have been blackmailed into silence - hence the kitten like behavior while Obama trashed our country. The massive programs to collect information on everybody would certainly support that. Sad to say that all could be blackmailed - but maybe one or two were “clean” but were presented with Deep State fabricated fake evidence and were thus neutered?
Is it hearts-and-minds approach that leaves Comey in place? Or blackmail? Does Trump want the trash to float to the surface while Comey is on watch so that once fired, Comey’s words are more accurately understood to be sour grapes because otherwise, if let go now, the public would see Obama’s administration saying “A” and then being replaced and Trump’s administration picks saying “B” and the public may conclude that the victor creates the fake reality (one is not more truthful than the other). With Comey in place when the wheels come off, might the public conclude the truth surfaced and on Comey’s watch in spite of his efforts to conceal? I know, lame idea but I really can’t figure this one out with any sort of confidence so I’m going for straws now.
Dems want Comey to stay there to protect them so he can’t flee even thought he really can’t expect to survive politically for the next four years. Wouldn’t Comey want out? But he’s left with his finger in the dam?
I don’t believe all the Republican “kittens” have been blackmailed. I think most of them went along because they agree with the Democrats. I would believe the Republicans that were not willing to go along were possibly blackmailed.