No, I am asking why they would knowingly desire the approval of those who prefer "irredeemable" candidates. They would either have to lie a lot to get it, or pull themselves down to be more reprehensible. So, what's their strategy? Lieing a lot after telling the "one truth", or becoming more reprehensible themselves? Probably both.

Seeking votes is not like seeking approval in a social context. Someone trying to win a contested election desires votes for the purpose of winning.

You did: "The latter is probably true, but why would they say that" The implication of your comment is that politicians shouldn't tell the truth because that offends voters.

Or educate and persuade?

> Or educate and persuade?

There's a lot of people around me who are actively against education, or attack facts because they don't believe them, or vomit opinions as "facts".

It's practically impossible to persuade people like that.