PT Barnum was right.
They did believe that things would fall apart gradually and that they would be able to shift the blame to the Republicans and harness the anger generated.
They miscalculated.
Had they gotten Romney into office the blame would still have gone where they desired.
Someone posted the following quote on another thread:
“If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures.” - Alexander Hamilton