I enjoyed Jay Cost’s article, “How to Divide a Party, In Three Easy Steps!” http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2009/11/how_to_divide_a_party_in_three_1.html
Here are the first couple of steps:
So, you’ve decided to become the leader of a big political party. Only one problem: it’s too big! What to do?
Step 1: Participate in a bitterly divisive nomination battle against a prominent opponent, making sure that you only win certain factions within the party. Leave your opponent to win other factions, even down to the very last contest. If possible, make condescending remarks about how bitter, clingy, and xenophobic some of those other factions in your own party are. This will ensure that they remain perpetually skeptical of your administration.
Having won the nomination, make no serious effort to unite this divided and fractured party. Do not nominate for vice-president somebody who is a prominent member of the opposing faction. For instance, if you’re a Northern/urban candidate looking to alienate Southern/rural members of your party – make sure that the well-regarded governor of Tennessee does not find his way onto the ticket. Also, no unity tickets. Make your primary opponent swallow hard and endorse you, then give the veep nomination to somebody else.
If you complete Step 1 perfectly, you should see early signs of success. Namely, lifelong members of your party will vote for the opposition, perhaps for the first time ever. If they do this in an election that you win decisively anyway, all the better. That’s how you know you’re off to a good start.
Step 2: Design your cabinet so that there are few (if any) prominent members of the opposing faction installed in any important posts. If you followed Step 1 perfectly, it means your primary opponent is still out in the cold. You might have to nominate her to a prominent spot. That’s less than ideal, but it is understandable. However, make no additional gestures to those other factions in the party.
I’d say that’s about right.
