The people behind them are smart, but the Senators and Reps, and mayors and Governors are dumb as rocks..
Some truly make your point, such as Sheila Jackson Lee and former sen Barbara Boxer. (And on our side, Matt Gaetz).
That said, many if not most are intellectually gifted, and yet remain as true and obedient believers of the leftist dogma. It's a religion and logic, history, and a study of human nature has little apparent effect.