Epistemic Status: Tentative and Seeking Clarification

My current view of politicians, influenced in part by examples like George Bush's academic record, leans towards a perception of general intellectual mediocrity. However, I recognize this might be an oversimplified and potentially biased assessment. I'm interested in challenging my view by understanding whether politicians often adopt simplified positions publicly while possessing deeper, more rational insights privately.

I'm seeking insights from the EA community to better ground my understanding. Do you think politicians generally engage with complex, rational arguments behind the scenes, but present simplified versions to appeal to the broader public? Or is the level of debate truly reflective of their intellectual engagement with the issues? Examples from various political systems would be highly valuable in this discussion.