Divided Republicans soul-search after defeat

Republicans reeling from their second presidential loss in a row engaged in some soul-searching but were at odds on how far the party must change to remake its image.

Divisions that were stitched up during the presidential campaign in a show of unity against the Democrats are on full display again after Mitt Romney’s loss on Tuesday to President Barack Obama.

Romney’s loss underscored a growing problem within the party in dealing with the changing face of the US electorate as Hispanic voters, turned off by harsh conservative rhetoric on immigration, helped Obama win battleground states like Virginia, Colorado, Nevada and Ohio.