"The repubs are on the ropes"
Not at all.
Im no defeatist, but I believe the gang of 14 is what set the party reeling. Look at it this way, if Hillary was president, there would be no rogues, Dem congressfolks would tow the line on all policies made by the clinton white house. Oh, there would be a few detractors, but it would be for show. The "R"s went off the reservation so many times it was embarrasing. Not being able to control the Party cost the GOP dearly..