They say it's always the darkest before the storm. If so, then the Republican Party is probably hoping that they are standing right in front of one, because it appears that things are at its worst in over half a century.

For the first time in almost sixty years, the GOP has failed to cross the 48% mark in two consecutive presidential elections, and lost the popular vote in five of the last six. Its chronic weaknesses in the crucial demographics of African Americans, Hispanics and women, seemed to have worsened. To top it all off, the Republican Party is on the verge of a civil war between the moderate, conservative and libertarian factions. The de facto party leaders, Speaker John Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and RNC Chair Reince Priebus, are struggling to deliver a cohesive message. The false dawn of the successful 2010 midterms, which saw the Democrats losing the House and also brought the tea party into national prominence, is a distant memory now.

However, all is far from being lost for the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower and Reagan. Conflicts have a way of strengthening, and the picture could drastically change come 2014. A simple and very achievable six seat swing could hand the Senate to the GOP, and provide the platform for the party to launch its bid to recapture the Oval Office. And thus, the grassroots must now commence their evaluation of the prospective quarterbacks to lead the charge for the 2016 presidential election.