I think the leaders have much more pull as they are less beholden to the electorate. We know who their real masters are so they sit there and make their messages fit. They use public emotion to redirect anger at their opposition to distract instead of holding themselves accountable and taking ownership of the country's problems. Look at trump, every single bad thing that has ever happened to him is someone else's fault. Look at the GOP, no matter how crooked he is they call out the Dems instead. Do you really consider trumpanzees a well informed bunch?