“(1) The GOP leadership is liberal and hates conservatives.
(2) Liberal democrats vote in the early open Republican primaries.”
Exactly. The GOP has an obvious disadvantage because it seems logical (to me, anyway) that they will have MANY more names on ballot in the primaries that the democrats, too. The democrats will vote for the GOP candidates that they are most sure the democratic nominee can beat.
Just like the last time, countless millions of dollars will be spent in the GOP primary, and it’ll hurt our chances to campaign in the general election.
Also, the long campaign will see several candidates who will stay in too long, just to create a better chance for the next campaign. All of the name calling and blaming for scandals will simply give the democrats ammo against the GOP nominee.
I am not sure Hillary is electable, but I am thinking that from a financial perspective she will have a major advantage after the primaries.