I have some more abstract observations that might spur some discussion.
My prediction is that the GOP will do nothing meaningful to advance the cause of liberty after their big election wins. By meaningfull, I'm talking about key issues to freedom -
Repeal the '68 Gun Control Act, the Clinton Crime Bill, the Brady Bill, and let the Assault Weapons Ban expire. Concealed carry without a permit, such as in Vermont, is a right all people have as human beings.
Begin to get the Federal government OUT of education. Start a discussion about the Constitutionality of the Income Tax, and completely privatize Social Security, as a start to abolishing both of them entirely.
Eliminate all campaign finance laws.
Get the Federal government out of drug enforcement.
Bring back the idea of the fully informed jury.
What's that you say? It can't happen? It's too extreme? I agree. That's because the once freedom-loving Republicans have been coopted over the years in an attempt to coopt their opponents. They've abandoned their principles little by little, ostensibly to get the power to really make change - and now they find themselves with the ball and still unable to do anything except pass a measly tax cut and hand out free prescription drugs to ensure voters for the next election.
Not Clintler, Not G.W., Not Ed Thompson are to be blamed. It's "We the People". Those collectivists who elect anyone "so that the other guy doesn't get in, so that their team wins" are just as guilty as the collectivists who elect someone so they can use the government to steal property from those who produce. The lack of public support for real change today is a great example of that. When you adopt an immoral, bankrupt philosophy, you lose.
Remember that it was Republicans who, just about 15-20 years ago, advanced the platform to abolish the Dept. of Education and the Dept. of Energy. Ask yourself if this could even be PROPOSED today, let alone passed, even with Republican control of the Presidency and Senate. Yes, the Republicans today are the Democrats of 40 years ago, and the Democrats today are the Socialist party of tomorrow. Most everyone will agree with this, and will realize that this inevitably leads us to hell regardless of which party is elected - but the "team" loyalty is too powerful.
In the near future, in the Republicans' attempting to explain away thier squandered opportunity, I expect to hear excuses of too many RINO's in the camp to pass anything meaningful. I also expect the Republicans to hail modest "accomplishments" as major victories (such as the "tax cut"). I expect to hear that voters today won't support the Republicans for true reform.
Well, when "Republican constituencies" won't support real change, what does this tell you? This is what happens when the game is all about compromise. Somewhere during the game you lost yourself, and it was from that moment on that you became a well-intentioned part of the problem.