I'm another voter who was hoping to be able to vote Repub this year, and couldn't.
Imo, the Republicans failed because they've based their party on a number of over-the top media screamers and ideologues.
It's frankly insulting that they do not consider their potential base to be intelligent or thoughtful enough to be able to deal with real information, analysis, and history.
So instead, they "create a base" using media shock jock claptrap hyperbole that can't be factually confirmed nor repeated in a campaign.
It's a losing formula -- avoid real thinking and analysis, avoid the real world, and remain unable to give a cogent explanation of your positions that is more than slogan depth.
I may disagree with a candidate, but can still vote for the candidate if they demonstrate a real understanding under their position. The repubs of late can't or haven't.
Instead they rely completely on emotion, strategy, and money ...
a truly disappointing mess.