Is my theory reasonable?

No

Yes, and the Electoral College exacerbates that problem.

well, it sounds like a try. I think though that different people are attracted to things. there is something called maslows hierarchy of needs that suggests some people seek approval after they have things like food and a mate or friends. You can image the person out of 100 with the highest preference for approval or approbium seeking out office even if they rationally know it is less rewarding.

In part, but who runs is more a factor of who votes. In the party primaries about the only people who vote are the angry ax-grinders. So to win you have to appeal to, gin up and pander to angry ax-grinder, not normal people

It is reasonable...but as far as true is concerned,

I'm not certain we have gotten the worst people.

I think the reason people don't run is you have to have money. You have to quit your job to campaign etc.

I don't think its the stress. It's that in an election, the person's name is smeared. Look at Moore...no trial has been held. Some people made accusations and millions call him a pedophile and rapist daily now. They just assume guilt...and regardless of the election outcome or trial (which probably won't occur because the charges will be dropped post election)...his life is most likely ruined.

Think of all the claims made aganist politicians for which no evidence was never presented...allegations which the accuser never even bothered to take to trial because they were politically motivated.

What intelligent, virtuous person would volunteer for that?

In democracies, bad people are elected because democracy only rewards bad people.

Not really, many people do it for the power and money, some want to improve things for people.

Trump is having difficulty getting good people because they don't trust him.

I doubt it. There's plenty if good self sacrificing people out there willing to lead. The real reason the douche bag politicians always win is because they're back stabbing *******. They cut deals with powerful people behind the scenes.

Anyone that wants the job of President of the United States shouldn’t be allowed to have it.