> Given that everyone in the US, starting at least a level below State Governor, is basically required to play political hardball just to survive, why does anyo

> Given that everyone in the US, starting at least a level below State Governor, is basically required to play political hardball just to survive, why does anyone in the US believe anyone's "non-politician" or "non-insider" political marketing? Wishful thinking. Same reason a lot of people felt George W. Bush was someone they'd have a beer with, and considered this a relevant datum for supporting his presidency. Schwarzenegger was basically elected as state governor off this notion. And it wasn't untrue so much as... stupid.