I agree with you. Yes, they all seem to run with different motives to feather their nests, one way or another. Some of the really nice ones here have lost the vote in the primaries due to young and very ambitious ones fresh out of law school.

One thing I pay attention to is "personal lifestyle". One of my DC politicians got a divorce and married a woman with a business in NYC and started a new family with her in his 60's. Rearing 3 children there seems to be a priority with him. (Personally, I cannot imagine what any woman sees in him). How often do you think he shows up in Oregon where he keeps a tiny apartment?

Experience should count for something but corruption should be a deal breaker. Unfortunately there is no good test for corruption.