I think the
important point is that executives (mayors, governors) we think are "good" are good in large part because they are good at hiring...skilled technocrats... so that technocrats can do good stuff while the politician spends time convincing the public that the good stuff is indeed good. Obviously wonkier-seeming politicians have a greater than normal appeal for wonky liberal bloggers, and having some wonksense gives them the ability to hire quality technocrats, but the job of a politician is a bit broader than that.
