Was the GOP really abandoned by the base? Or independents? I don't think we know enough to say either way right now.
I doubt if, in the key states, the "base" walked away. I know I threatened it in my passionate feelings of how badly the Republicans squandered so many opportunities by abandoning their conservative principles. But I did vote, and in a district my Independent (these days) vote for the R's was meaningless (Cameron County in South Texas). And I believe most "old school" conservatives found themselves back in the booths once again voting "against" rather than voting "for" as I did. For most of us "old school" conservatives deeply believe that voting is more a resposibility in our Republic than a right.