[Popman]

Does anybody doubt how shallow and gullible these Washington elite are?

Shallow...definitely. You can add craven, feckless.

Gullible... I'm not so sure...some surely are.

I think most understand how the game is played and play along to retain whatever influence and power they can attain so to empower themselves at our expense.

[Smokeyblue]

Yes, gullible is probably the wrong word.

Craven and feckless are good descriptors too.