The RNC still thinks it’s 1972 and all is well. Other than Reagan and Trump and Gingrich briefly the GOP has been on defense entirely yielding ground and for some insane reason feel they must kiss the media’s butt at all times.
The Democrats are playing long term, but it’s not that they are so smart, it’s just the Republicans rarely step on the field in any serious and meaningful manner and when they do they act like the village idiot. Think of a punk twenty year old and playing checkers with a six year old and you have the Democrats and the Republicans.