Actually they are smart, because they realize that most people are stupid, and will buy whatever they say.
No, I don't agree. They are just as stupid as the come across as. They believe what they are saying, which is both good and bad. Good because they are easy to win over in a one-on-one discussion, bad because they do not come across as liars. Unfortunately, too many people are lazy and never check up on things themselves.
That's why we have to work and publish real facts as often as possible.