Could the Republicans lose out in 2012 and disappear?

You under estimate the common man out on the street dark_joey. Don't believe the talking points. No matter who is nominated, I believe the common man who votes sees the importance of electing someone other than Obama.

I'm not really into party politics at all, and until 2009/10, I wasn't really into politics in general. But I can vividly remember the 2008 elections when Obama burst onto the scene. The Democrats weren't exactly settled about whom they wanted to have the Presidency. Clinton was still a favorite amongst many Ds. Media seemed to be primarily in the tank for Obama. I can remember Matthews and Olbermann and others on MSNBC singing Obama's praises while decrying Clinton, but I also remember some guy on CBS (or it coulda been ABC, I can't remember his name!) singing Clinton's praises. It wasn't until Obama won the D nod that the support began to rally behind him. Then, suddenly, he went from being a highly contested newcomer to the scene to the odds-on favorite to be America's next President. It all changed so quickly. If you went back a ways, the same things said about the Republican primaries were being said about the Democratic primaries. But when it came time to do the thing, Obama picked up the overwhelming majority of the support - so much so that Democrats are hesitant to admit that there was a huge divide in their primaries. Oh, how quick we forget (in part because of media coverage too). But if a Republican does lose in 2012, I think that will only make the Republicans stronger. Because, let' face it, other than Obama, who could the Democrats possibly run after 8 years of liberal policies, the last four of which being decidedly progressive if Obama gets reelected? A lot can certainly change, but I don't see any Democrat in the entire nation apart from Obama who can even come close to touching the popularity of someone like Ron Paul for the Republicans (around 12% I mean). One of my most favorite topics prior to the Republican primaries was when Democrats would say "The Republicans have nobody! The Democrats have all the popular politicians." Well, take Obama away, and what are they left with? They had nobody in 2004. They only got 2008 because Bush was so hated. And by the time Obama's out of there, he'll be just as hated as Bush. Who will the Democrats have? They don't even have a John McCain who can contest.

They won't disappear, that's for sure. Do you remember in 2009 all the morons on the left saying the Republican party was disappearing? They patted themselves on the back so much that they were blindsided in 2010 when republican candidates, many of them completely unknown, mopped the floor with them during the midterm elections. It's true that republicans are left to a "which will do less harm" choice, but that's just what happens sometimes. If they do lose the election they'll just rebound in the next one the same way they did after Clinton won two terms.

With the increase in opposition to the inequity of income in the Western world, I think we WILL see a drop in popularity of the right-wing politicians who support big business over people as a matter of course. However, I doubt it will actually destroy conservatism completely. My hope is that the Greens will fill the vacuum left behind them. Lash

As much as some people would like to see the Republican party disappear, I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. It may seem like there is disarray in the party right now but when the primary is over and they have a candidate, you will see them come together in support of their nominee. Once there is one person against the Democrats, that person will have the total support of the party. Then the real battle begins, that being the campaign for the presidency and the fight to win the independent voters.

To be honest I only think Ron Paul is the only serious one compared to the other ones. The only candidates are just stupid in my opinion, then again I got this from the media like you got your information about Santorum.

A primary fight is good. It keeps the candidates in the spotlight. Don't worry when the time comes, there maybe a few upturned noses but the Republican party will come back together. For some reason, everyone keeps forgetting that President Obama went through the same type of Primary fight.

i think there's a good chance they will lose both congress and also lose to obama whoever faces him. they seem to be hellbent on supporting the wealthiest 1% even if they don't pay a fair enough amount of taxes. many people struggling to make ends meet are going to take offense to this. the wealthy have never done better while just about everybody else is just having too hard of a time getting by.

the nomination that is going on is part of the process by a political party which is looking for a viable candidate to contend with the incumbent president. the republican party lost the election in 2012. it needs to bounce back this year to reclaim the presidency. the process of primaries and caucuses strengthens the party because it allows debates and dialogue among those who disagree within the party. after this process, the party will unite under the nominated candidate.

I don't think so. There is a sharp divide between the Republican and Democratic voting bases which will continue beyond the 2012 election. It's the independent and middle-of-the road voters that will determine the 2012 outcome. . . just as in past elections. The pundits seem to be saying Obama is favored to win but the GOP is likely to consolidate its hold on Congress. Too many people I know seem to think Obama will lose on the basis of his record. But history shows that a challenger must be a good candidate that can articulate a vision appealing to a majority of voters, e.g. Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton, to unseat an incumbent President. Right now I'm not sure that Romney is that candidate since he seems to give mixed messages. Santorum seems too mired in moral/religios issues to appeal to independents and people suffering from the recession.

There is zero chance of this. Too many automatically vote Republican because they always have and always will. The Republicans could run literally, ANYONE and still take second place.

When I read the American press I see many analysts saying that this campaign does no good to the GOP, that there is a split in the party. It's really strange to see that too many voters don't like Romney but he still seems with the best chances to win the nomination. There are opinions that Obama will be the big winner in this situation. But I think that the Republican Party will not suffer a fatal setback, the status quo will not be changed.