So the Republican party has published their "autopsy" regarding their losses in the 2012 elections. To recap those losses: They lost the Presidential race that they were so sure they would win that Governor Romney hadn't prepared a concession speech, lost a net 2 seats in a Senate in which they were defending half the seats in a bad economy and lost 16 incumbent races in the House. The autopsy report said that people think the Republicans are old, angry, scary, and out-of touch.
If I were a Republican adviser, I would focus my efforts on curing the out-of-touch meme. You see, they are so out-of -touch, that they do not think they are out-of-touch. RNC chairman Reince Priebus responded to the perception that Republicans are old by remarking that Paul Ryan is 42. I'm 47. 42 is old. A majority of Americans prefer President Obama's vision to Paul Ryan's. Paul Ryan sticks to his vision and it's Obama who "hates America?"
The Republicans say that it's not the policies. When everyone understands what they stand for they will come around. Republicans, after all, are the party of opportunity. The bad news is that their votes belie their message. To Hispanics, Republicans are the party of opportunity to go back to Mexico (no matter where you come from). To women, they are the part of opportunity to have your rapist's baby. To Black people they are the party of opportunity to get a freakin job (even though you have one and get off Food stamps you freeloaders). To middle class white people, they are the party of opportunity to not be nationalist, sexist, racists, which unfortunately resonates among too many people (see CPAC).
The biggest problem for Republicans is that the leadership doesn't believe their own bullshit, and the party faithful are so full of it that they enjoy the taste. Can you say, "Etch-a-Sketch?" They want to curtail debates and shorten the primary calendar. They want to hold a convention in July when people are on vacation. Why? So independents don't see for what they stand.
Republicans talk about cutting government spending, but won't say what they would cut. They talk about eliminating tax loopholes, but can't identify a single one worth eliminating. I think it was George Carlin who made a joke about new and improved shit. It may be new and improved, but it is still shit.
In the interest of disclosure, I am a current member of the Republican party, much to my dismay. I live less than a mile from the birthplace of Teddy Roosevelt, my favorite president.