It doesn't matter what they believe. What matters is the power structure and incentives/disincentives to which they are subject once they have the job. Regardl

It doesn't matter what they believe. What matters is the power structure and incentives/disincentives to which they are subject once they have the job. Regardless of what they believe, a politician's first priority is reelection, and it is partisan campaign committees that hold the reigns to the resources required for that. Even if you are independently wealthy and can finance your own campaign, you can't accomplish anything in office if you get ostracized by everyone who doesn't have that luxury. Cooperate with the cartel leadership, or you'll be denied funding, voter data, and committee seats.