Re: Telling political fact
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Also since history shows the party controlling the white house to do poorly in midterm elections, the repubs have a high priority on maintaining a common message and not appearing divided. This unity will allow them to pick up votes from the center from voters who might not like the repub policies 100%, but also don't like the discord that frequently characterizes the democrats' dealings amongst themselves.
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I think you are misinterpreting why incumbent parties tend to lose midterm elections. The dominant theories explaining this phenomenon focus on the problems congressmen have differentiating themselves from the party at large and the current administration. Thus, the perceived homogeneity that attends parties with substantial discipline is generally an electoral weakness and certainly not an advantage. That is why party leaders in congress will commonly figure out whether they have breathing room on a vote, and then parcel out the "right" to go against the party line to congressmen who are up for reelection. This is also why many congressional votes appear to be closer than they really are.
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