Advice for Republicans?

A commenter on Megan McArdle's article has some advice for Republicans:

"Republicans should do exactly what Democrats do: Promise to pay for everyone's health care and give each person a unicorn. That's how you get elected."

Somehow, I don't think that would be good for anyone but the professional Republican politicians.  If Republicans do this, I really hope voters would see right through this and vote with their feet (i.e. even more Republicans become Independents).