Republicans play to be liked. Campaigning is now year-around. Democrats are running energy commercials in California, ludicrously blaming Republicans for high gas prices. Polls suggest they are also making inroads with their claims that big oil is running the White House. So far, Republican responses have been tepid and ineffective.
Republicans clearly face a political energy crisis.
Democrats always have an advantage over Republicans in that they never lose sight of their goal. Democrats don't care about civility. They care about winning and then doing something with the power they've won to advance their left-wing agenda. Democrats do whatever it takes to win, no matter how long it takes. Republicans do whatever it takes to be liked, and waste time trying to prove they are not what Democrats say they are.