Very good title and certainly true. But, Hillary/Obama is a train wreck for the country. I could give a hoot about the GOP and am confident that Conservatism will survive all of this. The big question is: will the country survive Hillary/Obama. I have my doubts and I don't want to find out.
Real Clear Politics composite polls of head to head matchups:
McCain 48.5 Clinton 44.5
McCain 45.8 Obama 44.5
Thompson 41.5 Clinton 49.0
Thompson 38.3 Obama 50.3
Headline doesn't jive with the evidence. If it had said "Thompson is a train wreck for the GOP," then based on the evidence, the point would be valid. With the anti-Bush sentiment in the country, the GOP is going to need independents in this election more than ever. McCain consistently delivers on the independent vote. Whether you like McCain or hate him, that is the reality, so the headline makes no sense.
I agree with you about who cares what happens to the GOP. In fact, I plan to change my registration to IND this week. However, the "Conservatism will survive all of this" is true just as long as you realize it's going to survive as a small 3rd party like the Libertarian party, one that may be able to keep the Republicans from ever holding the office of President again. That's the conservative future without being part of the Republicans, but more than likely that's all conservatives deserve considering our actual numbers are small.
With McCain as the Republican nominee, you would guaranteed find out.