Just to be clear, I am not the author of the above quote. But I agree with the quote, while you do not. Both ideologues and non-ideologues participate in party politics. Complete and total lack of participation gets one nothing. There is no point to having a political ideology if one does not participate in party politics.
"Refusing to participate is not a political strategy."
I and many people on the PA boards would beg to differ with you. People sat out this election to punish Republicans and/or send them a message. They temporarily not permanently exited the political process. They helped the loss of Republicans because they believe it will make the party stronger and more conservative.
Again, a flawed logic.
Every profound, political change in recorded history was achieved without partisan pursuit. Political partisans are the residue of great change, not the cause. Partisans, by their basic nature, lack both the energy and commitment to their goals to accomplish great change. Partisans spend their energy compromising, not achieving. The charismatic ideologue changes history, not the partisan.