The politician’s stance is based on how they perceive public opinion. if the public is perceived as moral, principled, responsible, and independent. The politician will govern according to Constitutional principles. If the public is perceived as immoral, degenerate, unprincipled, corrupt, dependent, and weak, the politician will govern as a tyrant. Feathering his nest and seizing power. In essence, the public’s actions tell how the politician will act.
Opinion does not mean squat without willingness to act which in turn hinges on courage.
A politician will not care if the public opinion is to the right of Attila the Hun if no courage accompanies it.