They were the product of a WWII generation that is no longer with us. And gone is that generations work ethic, moral values and common sense.
The GOP will never see a map like that again. Best we can hope for is to regain CO, OH, FL and NC.
And what empirical evidence backs that up?
Let me throw some anecdotal evidence at you:
1. This country is now solidly Pro-Life, during Reagan's time, it was not
2. Somewhere around 50% of the electorate does not vote in Presidential election.
A large portion of the 50% is conservatives and independents that hate the wishy-washiness of the GOP.
Yea, the Reagan WWII generation is dying off, but there is more than enough Korea, Vietnam, Iraq era conservatives that have come along after them to make up the difference.
Quit with the Negative Waves Moriarty!
You also need to point out that 58% of this country is still against abortion under any circumstances. This is a huge untapped resource that always gets painted the other direction.
People would vote pro-life if they had the opportunity. Even the pro-abortion people understand the moral stand.