I think your perceptions are valid. You have a finger on the pulse of the country.
The problem is that a true cross-section of America does not show up at the polls. Rather it is a hard sell GOTV by Dems, bribe their constituent groups (Blacks, Gays, Union, welfare recipients, Atheists, poor, 47% crowd, etc.), while the Republican vote is suppressed and depressed by the nomination of milquetoast candidates whom Conservatives cannot stand to hold their noes and vote for.
Our candidates are chosen by the GOPe, corrupt media, and rigged open primary systems which allow clowns like McCain to slip through and supposedly represent us.