Let's try to avoid politics ! As you might know Americans, in general, are quite direct, outspoken and sometimes blunt. This doesn't mean that we don't <em>beat around the bush </em>or<em> beat about the bush</em>.
You are correct when you say that this idiom means to <em>avoid saying something directly</em>.
There are many reasons why a person might <em>beat around the bush</em>. It could be to avoid upsetting other people or it could be that the person who is speaking doesn't have the courage to be direct.
For example:
I had trouble telling Pedro he'd lost his job. I started <em>beating around the bush </em>and talking about one door closing and another door opening.
Stop <em>beating about the bush</em>. Just tell me what's happened!