"And, in fact, the new president and Congress had a real opportunity to divide the Republican Party."

They don't really have to do much, seeing as how the Republicans themselves are doing all the heavy lifting.

Yeah, the Republicans have certainly demonstrated they're an imaginitive, adroit bunch capable of hammering together a reasonable, attractive alternative.

LOL!

the Repubs will get to chant "We're Not Obama! We're Not Obama!" much like the left has done throughout Bush's two terms...

You're actually so ignorant of history that you think there some sort of never-changing looping effect at play? Bush was a special case, an inarticulate dolt who repeatedly demonstrated breathtaking ignorance and almost unbelievable incompetence. One who -- and, of course, you will have failed to take this into account -- had the presidency handed to him after failing to win a majority of the popular vote.

Obama's biggest problem is not Obama but the steaming compost heap Bush left behind for him to clean up.

I've no idea what you Republicans think you're going to do to put together a combination capable of attracting more, at best, 40% of the electorate -- remember, you're working from a core of 23%, compose of ignoramuses such as yourself who may vote but have no credibility (other than with other members of the ignorami, that is) -- and, from your posts, neither do you.

I guess all you can pray for is economic misery on a scale not seen since Reagan was in office.