Obviously the author of the piece can't and doesn't say so directly; and in fact produces a source to argue (weakly) against it near the end, down where few are likely to be followed.
But methinks she gives herself away by saying that "The GOP has become a rural, overwhelmingly Christian and Southern party" and trying to use as an example of this, a Harvard graduate comfortably elected governor of Massachusetts.
I think your comments are right on the money. The author is trying to paint the GOP as "far right." Ironic, as we here on FR are generally bemoaning that the GOP is becoming RINO. It's obvioius enough to me that the Republican Party is to a large extent drifting steadily leftwards.