Why do conservatives have a hard time winning at the polls in a center-right country?
The problem is in part the Republican DNA. There is the latent RINO gene that lies dormant during the time when only talk is needed. That is, during campaigning it is easy to talk the talk.
But once in power, the RINO gene activates, and the gene gives rise to the latent “big-government” genotype (inherent genetic makeup), which then becomes dominent over the “small-government” phenotype (observed characteristics). Conservatives and independents know in their hearts about this latent RINO gene, and thus they do not trust politicians. And they stay home from elections.