I'm with you, most of what I've read about him has impressed me. I think by nature a serious economist is always going to appear a little "off balance" to the rest of us, I've noticed that everything is about numbers to them and they often lack "people skills".
Thats usually a accurate and fair generalization, but Bernanke and also Bob McTeer are massive exceptions.
Bernanke has people skills, is a natural on camera, and is a huge supporter of bringing transparency to the Fed. He's got charisma, and is very polished. He can be a very usefull asset if utilized right.
Bob McTeer is a personal favorite of mine. His personality is charming, he's folksy (and I don't mean that as a double speak for dumb) and has a good wit and a funny sense of humor which he knows how to inject into economic discussions. His best trait is his ability to translate economic talk into the most user friendly understandable way possible with metaphors and some texan twang (minus the stupid ratherisms).