Why would the e-RiNO's adopt such a defeatist, pessimistic strategy? They're essentially throwing the election.
Does it really mean more to them, to retain control of the GOP, than to elect a conservative President? Do they really hate conservatives so much, that they'd throw the White House and two or three Supreme Court seats, just to keep a conservative, any conservative, out of the Oval Office?
Just what are we dealing with here?
Start with this: The GOP establishment is non-ideological.
While the Democrat leadership are committed ideologues -- i.e, using government to achieve an ideological end -- the Republican leadership is in the business of using government to further the limited aim of their own re-election.
They perceive themselves as, and are happy to serve as, "the loyal opposition" and have no ambition to be the "lead party". They're happy to take a turn when the opposing party stubs its toe.
They're comfortable with this arrangement. And they absolutely love being in Washington, being part of the power structure.
Ideology -- especially conservative ideology -- makes them decidedly uncomfortable.
My guess is one based on culture...
the elites are NOT conservative, not pro-life, not gun owners, have illegal alien maids and gardeners but they love their power (as much as the lib dims)...and for that are willing to “put up” with conservatives, throw them a bone, tell them what they want to hear during the primary and then shove them in a corner until next election...case in point: George W. Bush and pro-life...he could never be bothered to show up only a stone’s throw away from the white house at a March For Life - in eight years, couldn’t be bothered - it says a lot.