(12-12-12) The exodus of Republicans leaving a sinking ship began with the resignation of Republican Senator Jim DeMint, who of course was called the father of the Tea Party. Even he now understands that's a losing proposition -- and he has said so publicly. They lost big in the last election. It was a mistake to back them, but it also bespeaks of Republican desperation -- because the Republicans know that the party is shrinking. However they're not prepared to give up the ghost as it were and institute real reform and real changes in their fundamental philosophy.

As such, Republicans are increasingly viewed -- public opinion polls clearly demonstrate -- as the Party of the Past. Clearly that's not a very good advertising slogan for the Republican Party. And nobody's going to care what it is you're saying and what the Republicans have always sold as this concept of "fiscal discipline"

Nevertheless the entire country is moving to the left and the young people are becoming more socialized to the left.