What's next for the Republican party? Much of the news coverage has focused on how the results of this year's election (losses across the board) will force a wake-up call, that the party will have to re-evaluate itself and move back towards the center to stay relevant.

I predict the opposite will happen. Here is my reasoning: there are still 48% of Americans that voted for Mitt Romney, and that's a large audience and thus an enormous source of revenue for television ads, book sales, appearance fees, and the like. The reality is, extremism is sexy and sells, whereas moderate, informed, nuanced discussion makes for poor theater. What do you really think Newt Gingrich, Ann Coulter, Sarah Palin, Bill O'Reilly, Karl Rove, Donald Trump and all the rest actually care about? My best guess is their own bank accounts.

I therefore think we can expect more of the same the next four years, and if anything, the party will move further to the right and continue to "purify" itself ideologically. Short-term television ratings are going to trump the long-term health of the party, or (heaven forbid) its contribution to American policy making.

Discuss.