Democratic elected officials represent their voters.
Republican elected officials FEAR their voters. The GOP leadership will do a lot to make sure their voters don't awaken.
And, I must say, George W. Bush was/is exhibit #1.
Actually, the GOP 'leadership' will do a lot to make sure the elected representatives don't try to implement the will of the people who elected them.
There is no real two-party system. It's all just theatre...