Better than visiting it. But maybe its changed and I speak without knowing. I was there when Carter was in office and the museum and the city itself disgusted me so much I never went back. I had see both as a child and what they had become sickened me.
I took my wife to visit D.C. last month. My folks took me back when LBJ was in office, but my wife had never been.
I'll admit to being a bit apprehensive... we're from a VERY small Southern town and the idea of going to visit a big yankee city was a bit daunting. In short, we had a TERRIFIC time! The people were far friendlier than we expected, and we had no problems finding folks to help us find our way about town using the Metro. Everyone we met treated us as, well, GUESTS in their city. (Maybe it was the southern accents that got 'em, LOL)
Even the Capitol Police were fantastic. When we went to visit the Capitol Visitor's Center, they had a sign prohibiting certain items including knives. I jokingly remarked to the Officer outside that I had a knife on me because D.C. wouldn't let me bring my gun, and I wasn't about to walk around in a strange city "nekkid". The guy actually laughed and showed me where I could stash my blade outside. Said he would be able to keep an eye on it for me if I came out before his shift ended. I don't know about anywhere else... but you ain't getting THAT from any of our cops around here!
We were at the Capitol building right at lunch time, and all the little staffers and strap hangers were coming and going. Yeah, they tended to look at us tourists as something they needed to scrape off of their shoes, but they were the ONLY ones.
I'd go back in a heartbeat. There was so much that we did not have time to see and do. I hope you decide to give it another shot. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Of course, your mileage may vary.