If the GOP finds itself in a state of permanent minority status, we will see the end of the 2 party system within a decade or two.
Democratic party social programmes, at least those being pushed at present (especially universal healthcare and their lack of a coherent energy policy), will only exacerbate our country’s economic woes. Voters will become increasingly dissatisfied with the Democratic party. Either the GOP will have developed some sort of message with voter appeal by then, or more and more voters will begin to peel off and vote for 3rd parties. If that trend takes off, we may well see seats held by BOTH parties falling to Green, Constitutional, or Libertarian party candidates.
I don’t think a return to purely conservative values will work for the GOP. While that portion of the party’s support likes to make the claim that it’s the ‘core’ of the party, fact is, most Republican voters (just like most Democratic voters) tend more to the middle. . .like McCain. That’s one of the reasons he beat out some of his substantially more conservative rivals in the primary.
