It's amazing how old, staunch Republicans will not waver, even in the face of such a meltdown. Smart people will disboard the ship when it's half sunk. People of ethics will get off when the party is flagrantly in violation of it's own.
I play cards at a casino full time. Most of my opponents are older, retired guys. They're decent guys. They've spent a life either in service, or working hard to support thier families. In thier time as youth, the Republican party was the adult, responsible choice. Somewhere along the line, it deteriorated into the neo-con mess it is today. But disclosure was not a part of American politics until Clinton got a bj. Since, it's come to light how fucked the Repubs really are.
Unfortunately for the now aged men who have spent a life doing what they think was right, it's clear to them and any other person of intelligence that thier party did not have thier best interests in mind. More unfortunate, however, is that they feel beholden to continue to support the party or otherwise risk a disassembling of the beliefs they've held on to for so long.
The result is that despite the obvious failure of the Bush Administration (on a scale unmatched), and the floundering of the Repubs in nominating a geriatric and appointing a complete novice with a closet full of skeletons as VP, these supporters still hang on to the elephant. It's sad, really.