Kind of Important wrote...
It's just a blanket measure. I know for a fact it's been done in your country as well. All countries have the politicians that do it.
Basically, focus on what you know to be sensitive issues. Here it'd be gun control (for all the whiners) and abortion (for all the religious, holier-than-thou folk.)
Keep them all bickering about those issues, and you can get away with not living up to promises that you made to get yourself elected.
I'm all aware of that in my country. The Reproductive health bill is a really hot issue for them. And for the gun control. Hmm, I think that is not much of an issue around here but what about in America? I'm sure that guns can be bought anywhere from there. Black Market.