The problem is that for the last 8 years, the Republicans have been so busy standing against Obama that they never bothered to stand for anything else.
They spent years cultivating anti-Obama outrage to the point where any of their loyal parrots can squawk "Obama's the worst president ever!" And when pressed on for why, all they can do is squawk it louder.
Then along cones Trump, and harvests all that anger before the Republicans had a chance to do anything with it...
I agree with the spirit of what you say, but not all of it. They stood for things, but they didn't act on them. As in all mouth and no action. Normally, when they were squawking about the current president's debits in their eyes even louder? They again didn't do anything at that point. Again - all mouth and no action. Obama got his way in many matters, and they are mad because they rolled over and played dead. So squawking against something isn't all that effective.
The establishment on both sides are getting a bit shaken up this time around. GOP nor DEM want Bernie, Trump or Cruz. They don't even grasp WHY these men are popular with certain crowds, but they will do their best to bring them down. They do have their own personal interests at risk here. It really has nothing to do with the 'people'. It's their seats of power that they are worried about. Give it time the Bernie pool will swell, and they will be looking at the same thing the GOP is dealing with now. It's not just the GOP that is angry. Bernie wouldn't be so popular if that wasn't the case.
Hillary can talk the political talk, and do it in a nicey nice way. Yet, she is a liar and untrustworthy. I wouldn't trust her as far as I could spit. According to the pundits you are to ignore that, and play their game of the conspiracies for your own good. Her SuperDelegates may help the country stay in her la-la land they call political reality.
Trump is upfront and honest about whom he is. He doesn't do the nicey nice thing the political way. The man does have his debits as a businessman there is no doubt about that either. I'm no Trump fan, and I recently saw a commercial about him using 'children's' reactions to him. Wonder if those are the same parents that allow their kids to swim in the current culture of hate?! It's such a joke. There are political media people that speak worse than he does - do they also HIDE their children from their not so nice approach? Doubt it. They have been around for how long now? That's why that isn't all that effective. People think its a joke. Heck, even when I could relate to it a bit...I see it.
Many blue collar union workers like Trump, because he speaks about the jobs they have lost over the years. Sure, the DEMS say they think its terrible. The company's are terrible. They are trying to get out of taxes - and they wave their finger at them in SHAME and HORROR! I can understand why union members ask them if that is ALL they HAVE?! DEMS deflect and say its the GOP's fault. Then they move on. Politicians believe that people are so stupid that they wont catch what they DID indeed see. It worked once upon a time, but not anymore. Can Trump back up what he says? I'm not so sure about that, but at least he hears them. Trump does have appeal to Democrats, and they don't like to admit it. If they are so awesome they wouldn't have that problem.
Personally? I can't stand either party. They are all about their power, and how they can leave office rich. No party affiliation needed. I'm part of the ticked off crowd, but I don't know if I see anyone that can help that part. Politicians are more worried about their thrones of power compared to what is really happening with the little people.
