I was a kid from barely-above-poverty working class origins who went to an elite university on scholarship and later did consulting. So I get the Vance try-hard know-it-all routine. In my case, I put in considerable effort to make sure I never did that. I'd seen others fall into that trap and had too much self-respect. But then, I never aspired to be rich or powerful. I've lived well, but live unknown and like it that way.

Bowman seems more interested in grabbing as much money and power as he can, and if that entails him making himself a mouthpiece of some sociopathic billionaires, he'll do it.

I've seen weasels that are less twisty.