At one point during his 1969 run for mayor of New York City, the novelist, essayist, filmmaker, and impenitent outlaw of polite society Norman Mailer described the source of his electoral advantages, such as they were, with great precision. “I can look without horror upon any man whose hand I have to shake. The difference between me and the other candidates is that I’m no good, and I can prove it,” said Mailer, who lost the election (of course) but contributed a valuable insight into human nature. The public will always be drawn to a figure who concedes, perhaps even revels in, his imperfections.