Do people care about a politician's record of success?

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It seems nowadays that a politician despite having a major record of success will see their accomplishments swept under the rug as people will simply judge them on a few minor details dismissing the big picture.

My first example of this is Bob Dole the Kansas Senator. He is probably one of the USA's greatest senators that I can think of. He successfully pushed for an end to the arms embargo in Bosnia, allowing for the first time, the Muslims living in the region the means to defend themselves from the Serbian militias that were committing genocide. And with that he override Clinton's failed policy in the region by getting the two thirds congressional majority to pass the bill.

However it seems that when people think of Bob Dole all they remember is an old lackluster candidate, a man who was strange and out of touch with his mannerisms and for talking about himself in third person. People's view on this accomplished person has been tainted by minor details.

Same goes with Gordon Brown. The European Union rates him highly for his handling on the 2008 recession, yet when people remember this short term prime minister it is for calling that woman a bigot.

And then their is Clinton, more often in this world than not you hear people remember, the shock of the Lewinsky scandal rather more important issues and accomplishments e.g. Welfare reform and the bombing of Kosovo. It seems odd where so many orientate their attention.

People do care about the history of any politician, including his/her "record of success."

However, more and more people have short attention spans, and only look at the politician in his/her "present state."

I think that is how people judge everybody by their failures, not just politicians. The internet has just enhanced this part of human nature.