You can't honestly compare what the left did to Reagan and Bush 1 to what little we did to Bill Clinton. His impeachment was for lying to Congress, and he was caught in a lie no question. Before that time the GOP and Conservatives did very little. And how can you compare any of that to what they did to Bush 2? We kept hearing that we have to be above that, we cannot stoop to their level. I heard it over and over and I'm still hearing it. Well, it hasn't gotten us anywhere and it was time for a new strategy.
So you think it's a bad approach, heard that before, so what are the alternatives? Take the high road? Turn the other cheek? Been there, done that, it's a loser.
Unless you have some completely different idea.
Since you're pretty much dealing with a political illiterate here, all I can give you is my best shot, such as it is:
To begin with, I'll admit to two things: First, the Democratic Party is simply repulsive to many Americans right now, and you and I both know the list of reasons why. Second, the GOP has successfully taken advantage of that fact, electorally, over the last, what, 6 years. Stipulated.
I'm looking more long term, and I think that the bull-in-the-china-shop approach can only work in the short term, particularly given our demographics. My approach would have been more incremental and less reactionary: Win with better ideas, get in and show that you can (a) legislate and (b) improve the country with your ideas, and you'll just keep winning, regardless of demographics or anything else.
The bull-in-the-china-shop approach is dangerous for both the party and the country. I don't think the Republican party was in nearly as bad a shape as it thought it was, it was time for reason and strategy, not for breaking things.
.