The Republican Party is at a crossroads. It is still, basically, the party of my Father, who taught me to be a conservative, making me read Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley, and Barry Goldwater. All three of these people warned about a Trump-like character taking over their movement. Using an approach that reminds me of Harold Hill meets Elmer Gantry, he has mesmerized the formerly closeted and marginalized extremists on the right, while he grabbed the nether parts of Marion the Librarian and Sister Sharon Falconer.
In his ninth of Ten Conservative Principles (go back and read that essay) Russell Kirk makes the strongest argument against following such a leader. "The conservative endeavors to so limit and balance political power that anarchy or tyranny may not arise. In every age, nevertheless, men and women are tempted to overthrow the limitations upon power, for the sake of some fancied temporary advantage. It is characteristic of the radical that he thinks of power as a force for good—so long as the power falls into his hands."
The solid, intellectual foundation of modern conservatism is less appealing to the masses than the sense of power the comes from using "Rushisms," to cut an "enemy," to the quick. I get that. Shakespeare put a bloody head on a stick to play to the "Groundlings." But, I hope there are people in that party who realize the dark place the GOP is headed will be difficult to come back from, after the fall.
