Why does the GOP get fooled each time by the "Fools Gold" known as Pennsylvania?

[Nichlemn]

It's why the GOP has lost the popular vote every cycle but 2004 since 1992. They think that winning an overwhelming majority among white voters is still a valid path to victory in an increasingly multiracial America. Pennsylvania is sort of the best state to symbolize said trends, and like a popular vote victory, and now electoral vote victory, is just out of reach for Republicans.

How could it be "out of reach"? The Democrats have won two straight elections, and neither time was really a landslide in historical context. I've seen no reason why the Republicans couldn't win an election now- it's not like Democrats automatically have 50%+1 of the vote. Swing voters still rule elections.

Pretty much this. PA isn't "Fool's Gold" - it was close to the tipping point state in 2012. It is very plausibly part of the GOP's path to 270.