Yep and very stupid political tactic. Obama is very beatable, but the Republican elite want to make sure Obama gets another 4 years.
Loosing sucks but the Tea Party lost. They put all their wood behind 5 weak arrows. With 60+% of the vote, fail. Fact is that the Tea Party may have the passion but as far as electoral acumen, we’re newbies on average. At the end of the day to make real change, the TP needs to influence 4-6 electoral cycles and change the core nature of the republican party at the local, state, and national levels. The presidency appears to be a bridge too far this cycle. Basic choice for conservatives is stay home or suck it up and make the best of it.