It's actually about votes.
If you champion a popular cause, especially a cause that is popular and that you personally know nothing about but have strong feelings in regards to, like a baby being killed, then you too are a champion.
Pit yourself against someone like that nutjob that killed his baby and blamed it on the snake, and you're a veritable hero.
Once you're a hero, once the ignorant or easily persuaded have sided with you, you're in. Once you're in, money and power and the adoration of the admittedly ignorant but voting public, are all yours for the taking.