If this ends up being a repeat of 2004 and Mitt ends up beating Dear Leader it will be because (AND ONLY BECAUSE)—as many of us did in 04—we will be voting AGAINST Obummer and NOT FOR, Mittens, the same as we did against the Traitorous, Rat-Bas-Turd, Kerry and not for W as many of us Cons realized by then that the “Compassionate Conservative” was NOT who we wanted to lead us for another 4 years, but like today, we could not stand the thought of John Kerry in the Oval Office, much like we do NOT want the Fascist, Neo-Commie to have another 4 years as we fear for the Safety and Survival of our Republic.
You’re describing a “negative mandate.” Republican presidential candidates never seem to campaign ideologically. So when they win they don’t have the battleground prepared.
Then you have the Democrat political appointees who collectively go into the old UNC “four corners offense” and the bureaucracy grinds to a halt (if not actually subverting the administration’s goals).
Rules are different for Democrats. They win by one vote — they have a mandate. One republican votes with them — it’s bi-partisan. They get elected — conservatives/republicans in government are terminated on Day One.