Is history repeating itself? Is the GOP following the Whigs?

[Lemur]

Exit polls showed Romney winning independents in 2012, but that didn't save him.

True fact, but more importantly, he didn't win indies by much (5 points is the most generous reading). Certainly not enough to change the outcome. Same phenomenon with Kerry, who won indies by 1%, which was nowhere near the margin he needed to win.

From an article on this exact subject:

[V]oter's choice to identify as an Independent can change by the day. Republicans who were disenchanted with Romney might have been more apt to identify as Independent, as Democrats were in 2004 when they were dissatisfied with Kerry.

In 2012, a much more reliable indicator of success — and a better example of the "swing" vote — came from voters who identified as "moderate." In every critical battleground state, Obama won the moderate vote. In Iowa, he captured more than 60% of it. Overall, Obama beat Romney by 15 points among moderates.

Most of us are still imbued with those values, raised to view the USA as something special, and to seek something better for our future and the future of our children.

These seem like common American values, and not particular to the right wing. American conservatism has its particularities and defining features that set it apart, but love of country and belief in a better future are not among them. (Clarification: I believe those two values are pretty much universal among most all Americans, including rightwingers.)

GO ahead and nominate a "true conservative" I will eagerly await the election results.

Cruz/Palin 2016 would be amazing.