Yes be believes it. He believes that it will further his career in politics and its what his party tells him to believe. If his peers told him he was wrong then he would drop it like a bag of potatoes. Also if it wasn't going to help him further his political career then he wouldn't be so passionate about it. Right and wrong means nothing to polititions as they are the ones that set (via laws) what is right or wrong.
Wow, I must admit that in being busy with work I've totally missed these happenings... now I'm on holidays I've gotten a chance to catch up with it and I'm stunned.