Excellent piece, Tom Davis.

I add that Newt Gingrich removed the Republicans from policy-making and POLITICS cementing them in opposition rather than governing, as you point out.

Gingrich often stated that politics is like war when it is the antithesis. Politics is proposing, discussing, arguing, compromising, and finding solutions to move forward.

Donald Trump narrowed the Gingrich approach by dismissing history and the future as irrelevant—perhaps his most lasting legacy to America.

The fact that Republicans have no platform (or one filling the back of an envelope) is perfectly consistent with the adopted Trump mentality. Plans or goals beyond the next 24 hours aren't required, and no consequences for decisions need to be considered.

Agreed, it started with Gingrich. Best.