Do the Republicans really want to win the presidency? Why should they? They're chances of reaching their goals are greater without the White House while the Democrats can take the blame.

The key elements of this...
-the deficit which will stay high even though its the legacy of the Bush Administration
-a filibuster to prevent major inroads if the Democrats keep control of the Senate
-a further of undermining of people's confidence in the government since while it would seem the pro-government types are in control things aren't getting all that much better.
-defunding the key components of the health care legislation so it looks ineffective and weak and proves that the legislation was a power grab that resulted in everyone being worse off.
-Obama fits this deceptive narrative well -- his personality, that he's African-American, even as he's not able to rally his own side.