The donor base, like the Chamber of Commerce, Silicon Valley, other crony businesses, are so much more important to these people than their voter base. I think the GOP leadership actually prefers to be in the minority, it’s just as lucrative for them and they have a lower level of responsibility.
I think you are being way to charitable. They are being bought off, bribed, and blackmailed.
Elections are window-shop dressing to make the peasants think they are selecting their leaders. It’s a lot like the fake “wheel” on the charter boat they put out there for the kids. Makes them think they are steering the boat, when they actually no control over it whatsoever.