Beginning to think that rank and file Republicans really don't want the presidency
If you look at polls today, Republicans would still choose Trump and/or Pence in 2020. Which leads me to believe that the Republican base really doesn't want a candidate that can appeal to anyone other than them, and they're okay with that. They're okay with winning enough elections on various other levels, congressional seats, governorships, state legislatures, etc. where they can either thwart the Democratic president and enact their policies on a state level, e.g. restrictions on reproductive rights, concealed carry, etc.
While Democratic candidates work to represent all Americans and their various levels of interests, Republicans want their candidates to appeal to them and only them. It's Representative Democracy vs. Advocacy Democracy.
