Voices From The Wilderness

Steve Benen pores over the latest WaPo poll on the Republican Party.

What's tricky about all of this is trying to get a sense of direction. Rank-and-file Republicans aren't happy, but it's not altogether clear what they're looking for, either.
In 2005, 76% of Republicans were satisfied with the direction set by the party's leadership; now that number is 49%. About a third believes GOP leaders do not stand up for the party's "core values."

The next question, of course, is what Republican leaders should do in response, and that's where the poll offers few clues. It's one thing to learn that the party is off-track; it's another to know what to do about it.
It's not like there's a clamoring for an even more right-wing party -- 58% of Republicans want to see the party work with Democrats, and 69% said they approve of GOP candidates who take moderate positions on some issues.

There's also no real sense of what the party's priorities ought to be. About a third of Republicans believe the GOP should spend more time opposing gay marriage, but nearly as many believe the party should do the opposite. About a third of Republicans want to see more focus on abortion, and nearly as many prefer less. GOP voters expressed concern about taxes, spending, and the economy, but that's pretty much what the party leadership focuses on already.

They only thing they seem to agree on is that Obama is the source of all evil in the known universe.  The problem is they have no idea how to oppose him without slipping into the "Obamahitler" rhetoric without any positive changes to offer the public.  However, 58% of Republicans want the party to work with Democrats?  If that's true, the Party of No plan is failing miserably.  If that's even ten points within being true, the Republicans are in real trouble with their monolithic opposition to everything in Congress.
How interesting.