I'm not sucked into anything. But, I understand what drives people to buy things and politics is no different.
Have you ever watched a commercial and wondered to yourself "What moron would buy something based on this commercial?"
Well, that moron is the American consumer who makes up the American electorate.
Superficial aesthetic is important in a politician because it's deeply important to the American consumer. It's as simple as that.
Everything else you mention in your post is right on the money. But those are facts which require the application of reason and logic. Those aren't traits that are long in supply in the American voter.
Oh that I wish the electorate carefully studied candidates and their records and position papers, but they don't. All the MAJORITY of Americans care about is how someone looks, how they speak not what they say.
Astroturfer...
Sorry...GOP astroturfer...and shill.