On the gap with women (actually, mostly with just single women) this sounds write:
ASHE SCHOW: If Republicans can roughly tie Democrats when it comes to women votes, the GOP will win, according to recent history. That’s because the Dems have a dreadful gender gap with men.
The real problem (perceived and real) is the gap between the Establishment and the Liberty & Freedom wings of the Party. Doesn’t help electoral results when the former tells the latter to keep pounding sand. Except, though, the pounding may end up being on something else.