Back around 1990, in California, Richard Riordan (sp.) was an effective and very popular mayor in Los Angeles (and he was a white guy, if you could believe it). He made a ton of money in business and knew how to manage people.
So he decides to run for governor as a Republican and is an instant favorite. But in the PRIMARY season he makes a statement to the effect that one nominated, he liberate the Republican Party from its “extremist” elements and make it more “inclusive”, and he was clear what that meant (neutral on abortion, all for gay rights, etc.). Again, that was during the Primary season.
That was the end of his chances of being nominated - he sank immediately. The party didn’t do well, but there really isn’t much they can do there, now that the Illegals from 1986 can vote, thanks to Amnesty back then.
So be HAPPY about Jeb, we can club him to death over this (note to NSA, just an expression), much as we did, rightfully, with Perry. If some Republicans want Amnesty, there is another party that is MORE THAN HAPPY to support them. So, hopefully, Jeb goes away now.
The 'party didn't do well' because it was shafting its conservative nominee who lost by only 360,000 votes. In a campaign run by the same people who got him the nomination, Simon could have won.