What this is in a bigger context is the shift from a top-down to bottom-up scale in terms of funding for campaigns. It used to be that the central party committees (RNC and DNC) were flush with cash and could fund down-ballot races. Now, it is becoming the norm that people donate directly to the campaigns themselves via the candidate's website or checks to the HQ. This will become even more the norm as the older gens stop donating and die and the boomers stop donating due to apathy, etc. - hence the partisan funding problem from the top.
I think the DNC and RNC will cease to exist or becoming shells of their former selves in a few decades time. This is due to the above but also due to technology breathing new life and innovation into local campaigns.
The RNC and DNC will always exist at least as a means of leading the national convention every four years. How much they do beyond that though, may lessen over time. We're actually starting to see their role lessen already - most party ads are funded by "NRSC", "RGA", etc., which are below the RNC/DNC in terms of hierarchy.
Yup, it's already starting. It is the reverse centralization of funding and planning. The RNC and DNC will exist in a couple of decades to do general party optics and conventions but that will be about it, imo. In 2011/12, the Fairfax County GOP talked about folding up shop (they haven't yet) so it is also having an effect on state and local parties. It is the "startup-ization/indy movement" of races and funding.
