Are the Republicans a Zombie party?

They look like it to me. Unable to articulate any coherent or workable governing philosophy, they mindlessly jab at cultural hot ons, mechanically repeat hardwired tropes ("cut taxes, cut taxes, cut taxes"), dwell upon marginal leaders (Sarah Palin - prime example), nurse tribal resentments, ostracize independent thinkers. Above all, they feel positively proud of their doggedness. You can’t talk them out of it.