The very fruit of pragmatism and the strategy of populism, and folks are surprised that they are feckless?
Those who are republicans, angry at their elected officials, have to go no further than the mirror to assign the blame... All y'all voted for em. And you'll do it again too. I know, I've seen you do it.
STOP voting for these bastards! Can't you see you're voting for your own demise? Can't you even yet see the absurdity of this 'big tent' strategy? They will betray you over and over and over - Because they are NOT committed to orthodoxy. They DO NOT represent you and what you want to see happen politically. Y'all have literally traded your soul for power, and there you are with your pants around your ankles, holding the bag, and wondering what just happened.
STOP voting for what you don't believe it. START holding their feet in the fire. Demand excellence. Demand orthodoxy. demand RESULTS. If they don't REALLY REALLY move the ball, throw their asses out and get sommore.
Your fear of democrat power has left you with your house filled with betrayers. You let any ol thing off the streets - butts in the seats is supposed to lead to power - but you wonder why you never get what you want. Guess what: They will always stab you in the back. You should know that by now, dammit. But still you look so surprised when the shiv slides in. I have seen it a hundred times by now.
Butts in the seats don't matter AT ALL unless you KNOW they are YOUR BUTTS. Voting for a liberal Republican is NOT BETTER than voting for a Democrat. It's the same damn thing. In fact, it is arguably worse. Because you let that sombich in on the right. Do that a few times and guess what you get? Gang of Eight, and NO conservative bill will ever pass again. Where is all your power form them butts in the seats NOW?
Vote FOR Conservatives and NOTHING else. It will take a while, and there will be losses... But in the end the 'army you have' will fight for YOU. And that is the ONLY way that will happen.