The Republican party is already shattered.
This. They've been for big business and social issues (and the associated big .gov) rather than fiscally responsible smaller government, which is what many of those who are part of the Republican party want.
There is a LOUD portion that wants social issues, and a RICH portion that supports the interests of big business.
But IMO, that is the message that the Tea Party movement started as: fiscally responsible government. If it had remained true to that, might have made a difference. But the Repubs via the Socialists (morals!!!!) managed to infiltrate them and make it irrelevant.
Without the singular focus of trimming the fat and gaining financial stability of the government, the R party is doomed. Currently the only difference between D & R is social issues. And while I have a stand there, it's personal. My opinion is the .gov needs to protect me from violence and theft, from within and without, and leave me alone otherwise.
The chance to change was with the Tea Party movement - not become the Tea Party, but the message: quit spending! - and they missed it.
The last few election cycles have shown they have no cohesive goal anymore. Nothing to rally or unite behind. "Appease Religious Conservatives and Not Alienate Big Business and Don't Give Up Any Power" has been the only thing I can discern with them anymore.
My opinion when Romney ran was if he and the party leadership had focused on his ability to run a business (however true or not) he would have had a chance. Focusing on "I'm for the middle class" when he was born with an Unobtanium spoon in his mouth, and pandering to religious conservatives lost the race.