They[Republicans] are either covertly or overtly campaign for and otherwise aid Hillary Clinton. They will also sabotage and undermine Donald Trump at every opportunity. It is not Donald Trump that they are fighting tooth and toenail. It is WE, the People. Donald is just the leader of us. They are also fighting to keep their ill gotten gains, to able to steal more money than they have already stolen from the taxpayers. And to keep their political power which translates to power. And do not think for even one minute that they will give this up merely because of the results of an election. This election cycle is going to get very dirty, very nasty, and may even get bloody. I can’t recall who said it, but someone said, The people have to be taught a lesson about picking someone like Trump. Or words to that effect. In any language, that is a threat.
Well there is an element of what you described but historically the Republican party shrinks from left wing criticism. Its a chronic condition of wanting to be accepted and not wanting to take a stand if its going to make them look like the bad guy. Democrats on the other hand have no problems with criticism they just shout it down. That’s what Trump does. He uses Democrat tactics and the GOP needs to catch on but I’m not optimistic.