But they can grift more if they are in charge. So there is still an incentive to win.
The current Republican party has copied the televangelist model - create overwhelming existential imperatives to win - i.e. "save America". Portray their opponent as evil, not just as a political alternative, but a threat to survival of American life. Fund raise heavily on that model whenever they can.
Actual policies aren't necessary. If the Dems are "satanic" / "commies" / "un-American" / "extremist", simply defeating them is all that matters. It is assumed that the GOP will do the correct things, once it is in power.
So you get every election set up as a "struggle for America". The Dems are the "evil other". And there's no discussion of policy platforms. And that allows the GOP to take whatever bribes they wish when they are elected and do whatever their bagmen want them to do.
And since America is presumed to always massively support Good (the GOP) over Evil (the Dems) - because America is a Good country, any failure has to be caused by treachery - i.e. Trump or Rona fucking up or the vote-counters being corrupt and bribed. So if these things are fixed, the GOP will certainly win the next election. Because they are Good and America is a Good country. And if they don't, there must be more traitors and treachery.