I realized the predicament the Republican Party was in when I got into a heated conversation with a close relative.  I had just read James McPherson’s Pulitzer-winning book Battle Cry of Freedom and was curious to find out what side a close relative sided with.  

"How can you not side with Lincoln?" pointing out Lincoln's accomplishments.  “Would you rather have our great nation divided into fifty countries?”

To my astonishment my question was met with a resounding, “Yes!”