None of the current and prospective Democratic primary candidates

[Hortensis]

13. Political scientists have found people do NOT choose leaders

who share their issues and principles.

Instead, the usual dynamic for most is to identify with a group of "people like me."

Then some leader appeals to the group, which gives him or her their support. Each person has to accept the leader, but most do and stay because it's a group thing. "People like me."

Then -- and this is huge!!! -- they then adopt the leader's goals and principles. Good leaders elevate their followers. "When they go low, we go high." But followers will also loyally adopt the lack of principles, irrational reasoning, and dishonorable behaviors of bad leaders, even if a great deal of personal dishonesty is required to maintain loyalty.

So, science identifies a very big part of the "real" in realpolitik.

Btw, everyone should note, this starts with joining "people like me, who think like I do." That's how some end up becoming what they never initially intended to be.