How does a political party split, how does it start?

[BigmanPigman]

I have no idea how the GOP will go about splitting, which a lot of people seem to be suggesting is going to happen now.

[LeftInTX]

1. It won't..

They may sulk for a few weeks....

[moonscape]

2. Thomas Friedman's idea is that

the non-insane repubs who believe in democracy (mukowski, romney, sasse, etc) should start a third party, calling themselves the Lincoln Party or whatever, which would neuter the non-democratic complicit ones. They would have a lot of power in working with dems on reforms without sacrificing their policy differences. And - build from there a center right party that upholds democracy.

[canetoad]

3. In a more sensible country

Under the Westminster system, the 'party' would already have disposed of trump as leader because he is unelectable and reflects badly on other party members.

In the US, one half of the party will probably shoot the other half.

[My Pet Orangutan]

4. There has not been a lasting split since the Whigs in 1854.

The GOP split in 1912 (Progressive Party), Dems in 1948 (Dixiecrats). Both were mended.

[BigmanPigman]

5. I forgot about Roosevelt but I never knew

about the Dixiecrars.

[My Pet Orangutan]

7. The 1912 split was huge.

TR 27.4%, Taft 23.2%, Wilson 41.8%.

[Major Nikon]

8. It starts with a pendulum swing

It ends with it not going back the other way. That’s what killed the Whig party.

Demographics in this country are irreversibly changing and not in favor of the GOP. Their past successes relied on getting an increasing share of a decreasing demographic. It was never tenable as a long term strategy as the GOP had to keep going farther right.

The only question is whether they are at a tipping point from which they descend into the abyss. If so the GOP goes the way of the Whigs or at the very least they have to reinvent themselves into something which leans much farther left. The party that exclusively caters to old angry white people just won’t survive.

[beachbumbob]

9. the real possibility would be the republicans that are left who are reasonable and not crazy will

start moving to be democrats. That would be suffice. IF we see ANY GOP politicians "switch" sides, that would be great. The antics today by GOP crazies NOT to certify a clear winner may push some to switch parties

[BigmanPigman]

10. That seems more realistic

than actually splitting.