Understand this - the GOPe doesn’t want a landslide win.
That would make them accountable to DO SOMETHING to stop the Obama agenda,
which, for the most part, they don’t really oppose -
they just want to be in control of a bit of the spending,
go to the cocktail parties,
and get all the perks of Congressional membership.
I believe you are right on!
They want a measured win, not a sweeping election for the reasons you
mentioned.