You can get the same picture from the other end: For each real position a politician takes on an issue they will lose everyone who disagrees. If you chose sides

You can get the same picture from the other end: For each real position a politician takes on an issue they will lose everyone who disagrees. If you chose sides on a hundred topics in the most sensible way you will lose everyone. So they have to be as vague as possible about everything until an audience gathered behind some specific topic, then it is required to lie so that they think you are one of them. Beyond those basic requirements the competition is to encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions, and help them throw rocks at their enemies but it doesn't even matter anymore.