Rand knows how to play the "game" of politics, else he wouldn't have been able to get to his position. He has to make an argument from a position he may not fully agree with (i.e. saying a vaccine is beneficial) to avoid being marginalized and ridiculed. It's fine if you find that distasteful - a lot of people have no stomach for politics. I personally think he's righteous and doing what little good he can do from within the beast.

His father was more idealistic and we all loved that about Ron... but he wasn't a Senator.