Spot on. Although I think a combination of ego, jealousy and shadow funding kept them in last national election.
I think conservatives are better at learning from past mistakes than the GOPe.
Here in Michigan our former SOS, Terri Land is running to fill the Levin seat in 2014. She’s imperfect and a former member of the establishment but she’s making amends and taking solid steps to prove herself. She’s angering the establishment, running in tea party circles, openly supporting Ted Cruz etc. Its still very early but conservatives seem to be leaning in her direction.