Why do political commentators and debaters frequently resort to logical fallacies like whataboutism in their arguments?

According to the discussion, political commentators and debaters, regardless of their intelligence level, often find themselves drawn to logical fallacies because these tactics are highly effective in debates. Whataboutism and other deflection strategies work particularly well in manipulating arguments and steering conversations away from weak points in one's position. The speaker candidly acknowledges that even intelligent participants in political discourse can fall into this trap, suggesting that the use of logical fallacies isn't necessarily about lack of intelligence but rather about their practical effectiveness. These fallacies serve as powerful tools for avoiding direct confrontation with challenging topics and maintaining argumentative advantage, making them attractive options even for those who understand their logical flaws.