The Sea Wasp (Ryk E. Spoor)

Actually, I strongly disagree with that. There has, historically, been one hell of a lot of very good - in the sense of Righeous- politicians who were driven by ambition, and who sought their offices. The problem is not ambition per say, it is the utterly repugnant shape the modern nomination and electorial process has assumed in many places and parties. If the only way to appear on the ballot is to wade through slime, you only get slimy politicians. That doesnt mean being a politician is inherently a loathesome profession, it means that there is something quite seriously wrong with your parties and institutions. Mostly, money. The fact that you have to sell your soul to lobbyists to even run is likely the number one factor keeping everyone with a shred of decency out of american politics.