Sound crazy? Think about it: why would establishment Republicans want to be led around by the nose by a fanatical anti-government, anti-science, anti-modernity faction that can't compromise, can't work with the other side and now risks plunging the economy into another recession?
If moderate Republicans joined the Democratic Party, they wouldn't have to worry about all those distracting cultural issues like abortion, birth control, evolution, etc. They wouldn't have to deal with all the fear surrounding immigration reform, climate change, etc. If they joined up with Democrats they could actually have a seat at the table when legislation is written. In that way, they might be able to drag the party a little rightward; they could have influence on financial and health care reform, rather than taking such maximalist positions in opposition, losing and then trying in vain for repeal after the fact.
That's kind of what happened in California. The Republican Party there became so extreme that they were effectively shut out of the process. If the national GOP continues in its present form that may repeat itself in Washington.
Is it so hard to imagine a Democrat in the White House and a Democratic majority in the House and Senate with just a rump GOP consisting largely of irrelevant tea partiers? Isn't that where we're headed anyway?
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