“now sidetracked over personal matters that won’t win votes.”
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Actually it’s the “personal matters” that win or lose votes. Long wonky speeches about the federal deficit, for example, puts voters to sleep. There is a reason for the emphasis on “which one would you have a beer with?” question. For many, if not most, people it is the deciding factor.
You’re right, personal feelings direct voting.
The challenge of any candidate is not to sound wonky. You have to personalize the policy message. Make the voters agree with the candidates vision of the future.
Personal matters of the sexual nature turn voters off.