Dwight Said:

What does the GOP hope to gain by *refusing* to participate in the new administration?

We Answered:

I have to agree with you. In response to one of the answers, Obama tried to work with Republicans. He even went to congress to meet with them prior to the Recovery Act. They gave him no ideas, and they all voted against it. They're playing the role of obstructionists because they have no new ideas of their own, just the tired old failed policies of the last decade.

Ricardo Said:

If the GOP looses on Nov 5th what are the chances of a division of factions within the party?

We Answered:

ROFLMAO at the McCain supporters... You guys are funny. Keep your head in the sand, the truth that McCain is so far behind is probably too scary for you to comprehend.

Back to the question, I think the chances for a schism in the GOP are very real. I think the neo-conservatives who have hijacked the party are pulling it too far to the right, and that most of the moderate conservatives will either pull back, or jump ship and register as Libertarians.

Neo-conservatism eschews the traditional conservative thought that small government is better. Neo-cons want bigger, broader government programs, and subscribe to a foreign policy that aims to install the US as the de facto World Police.

I think once the mainstream GOPers realize just how far the party is from their ideals, that it will create some backlash. There are even some Republican candidates who don't want the word "Republican" next to their name on Ballots - they want
"GOP Party" instead, because people are associating "Republican" with Bush's failed policies.