Why don't they oppose amnesty and campaign on that opposition? Polls consistently show that not only are the vast majority of Americans opposed to it, but it's also one of the top issues among voters.
The fact that a Republican in public office would even need to be "persuaded" to drop this issue is pathetic -- and is indicative of just how tone-deaf the leadership of that party has become. I'm sure the establishment GOP is gearing up a big PR campaign to place the blame for their defeats on the "Tea Party types and purists who stayed home," but that will hold no water when they themselves came down on the wrong side of such an important issue among their own supporters.
Also pathetic that some of their voters are so tone deaf they do not see the issue you describe.
” . I’m sure the establishment GOP is gearing up a big PR campaign to place the blame for their defeats on the “Tea Party types and purists who stayed home,” but that will hold no water when they themselves came down on the wrong side of such an important issue among their own supporters. “
The establishment GOP is the enemy of conservatism/tea party. And they have a huge amount of money to crush conservative candidates.