First, I don't think 90% of Americans had any idea what the deal was with Libya.. its sad, but I am sure internal polls/ intel led the Romney campaign to abondaon talking about Libya because it didn't sway the needle...
The GOP is in a pinch, idealogically.
You have a country where a growing number of citizens feel that it is ok that that illegal immigrant flow across the border as they please, for the most part. the Republican stance has been to secure the borders of this country. How do you reconcile that position, when the other major political party will smear you for doing that the Federal Government is ennumerrated to do, and it do it convincingly? Do you ease you position on Immigration? Do you abandon your principles and duties?
Additonally the GOP is probably going to have to re-think their position on some social issues if they really want to be the party of small government. Abortion- I know they will never change their minds about it, I don't disgaree with their position, but they may have to stop talking overturn R v. W and other womens choice issue, or at least may them less central in their campaign... also on the Gay Marriage front, alot more people in the country are becoming acepting of the notion of two homo's getting married- it is hard to appeal to that growing segment of the populcation when the party of small government is talkign about amedning the Consititution to define marriage.
To me, the GOP needs to get back to brass tacks- it might behoove them to adopt a Libertarian stance on some social issues, therby not condoning but not intruding, and get back to convincing the American People, and there are lot of them out there, that a reduction in size and scope of the Government is what we need to do to survivie and thrive....