The derailing happening on this thread is focusing on national politics, politics that have high media scrutiny. Most politics happen on a local and state level. Most politicians private lives aren't that scrutinized unless they are having affairs and saying deeply offensive stuff on Facebook. My father who has autism was the mayor of my city. He genuinely likes people and likes telling stories and helping people. He totally burns out in his private life to recover. His impulse control / social issues really helped him be the kind of politician who tells it like it is. Frankness and frustration resonates with people in certain cultures, places. Also there are plenty of political jobs that don't require being elected. These jobs are definitely appropriate for anyone who cares and wants to make changes.