It's all about ego and power.

SAIL LOCO wrote:
And under the table money.

IMHO there's a lot of that, but the ego stroking these Washington DC
guys get subjected to is incredible. Hollywood stars don't get schmoozed
like the most junior Congresscritter. Remember there are several hundred
lobbyists for every single elected rep, they all get huge staff support,
where ever they go they get special treatment, and everybody is
constantly begging them for favors.

Of course the opportunity to make money is there too. For example, Bill
Clinton came to the Presidency poorer than any President since Abe
Lincoln, and walked out with 2 or 3 million $$$... and that was while
under close surveillance by some of the finest legal and financial
talent in Washington

DSK