The underlying problem with the Republican Party is that deep down inside its leaders have accepted their place in the world.

No, the underlying problem with the Republican Party is that in our system of government you can't advance your agenda without cutting a deal with the opposition party unless you have a supermajority in the Senate, and the GOP hasn't had a supermajority in the Senate for a century. Combine that with the Hastert Rule (which makes cutting deals with the minority party as part of a larger deal impossible) and the punishing effects of conservative media (first talk radio and Rush, then Fox News), and they've taken themselves out of the game.

. With that lack of power comes no real actual responsibility or accountability: they're free to wax on about how things need to be better but they're never strong enough or courageous enough to do anything about it.

It's not about strength or courage. Strength and courage doesn't get legislation passed - deals get legislation passed. Being willing to compromise, accept half a loaf, structure your party so that the leaders are empowered to reach agreements. That, or win 60 votes in the Senate.

That's how the Democrats did it. Not by being stronger or more courageous - by being willing to cut deals to get things done. And even then, the Democrats also have failed to pass almost all of their legislative priorities when they didn't have 58-60 votes.