Actually I think there was ONE Republican who voted with the Dem's, so yeah, the group is clearly "splintered".
But seriously, by splintered I mean they have no concise focal point, no clear platform, no leadership, they are struggling to understand their own position on various issues. Not all agree on what they should be. The "Tea Party" advocates represent an interesting delima for the Repubs as I see it. Perhaps they will become the NEW Republican Party? Or, will they be absorbed (resistance is futile) by the party and then lost again because no one is quite sure how they fit in on a National level. Or, will we see the rise of a THIRD party?
But yes, there is HOPE, at least the party can come together long enough and strong enough to vote AGAINST something, even if they can't stand up FOR something.