Let me note that you didn't cite what office these qualifications hold for. I don't mean to single you out here: it seems that this is usually how it goes. But

Let me note that you didn't cite what office these qualifications hold for. I don't mean to single you out here: it seems that this is usually how it goes. But I'd like to suggest that there are very different qualifications for executives, legislators, and parts of the judicial system (when they are electable). Like, maybe a legislator needs to have that ability to work with science that you mention, in order to devise the best possible policies. But that seems much less important for an executive, who needs more of your anti-yes-man quality than does a legislator. And so forth.