Interesting when you say that cult leaders give very simple answers to questions when asked about their tasks, goals, efforts, and overall cause.
Judging from his interviews, the ones I have seen on video (YouTube, etc.), Julian Assange has a tendancy to stray from the actual subject, moving from a detail of the subject to the almost absolute of another subject. I sometimes found his answers to any questions by a sit down reporter, too long and quite off from what the reporter is actually in hope of achieving. But reporters always cover well and accept the answer and quite cleverly cut the conversation...if they are good that is. =)
Other reporters, those who are more interested in the subject altogether and interviewing a rebel with a cause, so to speak, don't bother to put Julian back on track...and part of that reason may be that it's just to darned difficult to restart him where he needs to be while answering or speaking.
I think one of the reasons cult leaders sometimes give short answers is because their answers are already engraved in their heads as though saving that one answer as his or her purpose will call attention to the obvious good of his or her intentions...leaving out the underlying truth that the purpose he or she projects has no solid and realistic direction, but with the short answer, remains a hope, a hyped up possibility that gives admirers something to believe in when all reality has failed them....and that new admiration for the unrealistic direction of a cult leader is a painful hidden discovery worse than reality.JMHO of course.