In the early days of television, advertisers pushed to have their product, and the shows they sponsored, closely associated with a known, respected and well liked star. Ronald Reagan represented General Electric from 1954 through 1962, well before he entered politics (and well before you were born, I suspect).
Since you're so much smarter and wiser than me (by your own admission, no less!) then obviously you, too, are aware of this.
So, "Thank you" for the candor. You really are a bright one.
:^\