This sentence in particular sums up the piece and the fact that the future of the GOP is uncertain:
... the only issue that truly unites Republicans is a commitment to shrinking the federal government through spending cuts, low taxes and less regulation.
In other words, the only philosophy currently defining the party is that which created the trend resulting in the current economy.
As pondered by a Republican consultant in the article:
If the voters can’t rely on us to stand up to the runaway train of entitlements and deficits and federal debt, what can they count on us for?
His question of course is wrong. What he means to ask is, "If we can't convince the voters to become hysterical about the wrong things and vote against their interests, how can we go on existing as a political party?"
The GOP's growing irrelevance raises questions about the future of American politics. If the Democrats are now functioning as the Republicans have for much of the post-1945 period, and moving further to the right isn't working - producing disastrous results - then it's clear the GOP's future is far from guaranteed. As the quip goes, this country needs a viable second party. Now it actually needs a viable second party.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/04/us/politics/gop-lacking-unity-clings-to-budget-goals.html
