Here's the problem - the fiscally-conservative, socially-liberal Republicans that Liked Ike can't afford to be Republicans anymore. You've got the rich, who want their taxes reduced, and you've got the poor, who want someone to protect them from ISIS and/or Caitlin Jenner. Back when the middle class was growing, you could stitch together a platform that might appeal to both of them but for the past 20 years or so the rich have had to trick the poor into voting against their interests through demagoguery. They've been so successful at it, though, that they can't grab any more money... and they're uncomfortable giving more social crazyness.

So who's voting for Nikki Haley? And why aren't they voting for Hillary Clinton? Because I'll say it again - she almost passed Hillarycare while Rush Limbaugh was actively accusing her of murder. Maybe she doesn't believe in anything. Fine by me - the '90s kinda worked out, yo. Really - Hillary Clinton is the nicest Republican you could vote for. That she's been a Democrat since 1968 definitely speaks to your point but I will take Little Finger over Ned Stark any day.

This magical Republican Party you envision, my friend, is the Democratic Party.