You ask good questions...because I don't know about the party as a whole...I would be curious to see what "platform" they would write, if the POTUS election was this year...
However, I do know that some "pundits" are saying that with the Hispanic population growing, along with the black vote, and remarkably even the Muslim vote...the dems are set up quite well in the near future, UNLESS the Republican Party "opens up their tent more"...
Those aren't my words, or what I want...just what is being told to the politicians....so, unless you want to be the "odd man out', like Sen. Coburn is, and even Mike Pence right now...you go along, to get along.
THAT needs to change, but I doubt that we can do it in one elections cycle, do you??
No, I don't think effective change can occur in one election cycle because you will continue to have districts re-electing people, just because they bring home the gravy, to hell with everyone else. Other times, of course, you have people fed up with bad behavior and they boot out the rat (i.e., Daschle).
I've looked at the Republican Platform and I would say, the values stated are conservative values, not moderate, not left of center. So, why do they constantly bend over for the Rats (who do not do the same when they are literally in power)?