You’d never know it from the way they’ve been legislating, but Republicans are apparently in a state of reflection. Knowing they lost the 2012 election badly, and with an eye toward the future, RNC leaders released a self-critique of the party they described as existing in an “ideological cul-de-sac” and in need of a new brand of conservatism that would reach younger voters, ethnic minorities and women. It is a long report that can pretty fairly be summed up as concluding that an ideological platform that is openly hostile to pretty much most of America is not a platform with a lot of longevity. Sounds promising.

But true to form, all that reflective work is squandered. The report offers no new policy suggestions, no points or issues where the party could pivot to reach out to the majority of American voters. Instead, Republicans assert what they need, again, is a brand re-boot.

The conclusion would be funny if it weren’t so sad.

For example, the RNC concludes that Republican candidates must connect with women voters using “softer language,” fewer “graphs and charts” and by assembling a strong list of female surrogates to do media appearances. That’s right. Republicans conclude that to win women voters they must use their “inside” voice and not bombard those ladybrains with all that “information.” Oh, and rather than actually place women in positions of leadership within the party, they plan to just pluck a few pretty faces to put in front of the cameras.

More: RNC Concludes Women Voters Need to Hear ‘Softer’ Voices, Fewer ‘Facts’