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Yes; and contrary to appearances, most of them are decent people -- at least on the Republican side, where I know quite a few personally. But do not think that politicians are bound to "care" for you as a voter any more than the convenience store clerk or department store manager who are not your friends "care" for you as a customer.

Contrary to my assumptions when I was younger, I have found that Democratic politicians tend to be different as people: more often self-absorbed, dishonest, and given over to surly explanations when they are caught doing something they should not be doing.

Being different people and facing a less foolish and forgiving party base, Republican candidates and officeholders tend to worry about things like speeding tickets, prior marriages, and business deals gone sour. Unless the facts are aggravated, those are venial sins if sins at all.

Among Democrats, on a statewide basis researching Democratic legislative candidates, every election cycle I find a least one wife-beater, a bankrupt, and a pothead. The divorces also tend to be messier and the private misconduct seamier.

The virtues of Democrats as people tend to make them saps in picking leaders. Often genuinely caring people who are not especially good at abstract issues, Democrats are inclined to follow people who are good at pretending to be caring. Of course, in doing so, they are like cattle following a Judas goat into the slaughterhouse.