There's been, for a long time, an intra-party struggle between right-wing populist insurgents and establishment/institutionalists since Newt Gingrich. It was a slow process, but over time it seems the former are winning, the most obvious first sign was the McCain-Palin ticket (Palin being the populist). The scene as increasingly been victorious for the insurgents. Those guys you are pointing out are hanging on by their fingernails.