Political Science: More Art Than Science?

I was reading an articile on MSNBC.com today about the nearly insignificant drop in the U.S. Poverty rate (which no doubt corresponds in the rise in the number of people without health insurance.).  You can read the article here.

 What struck me though was a quote from political scientist Larry Jacobs:

“The poor are politically mute,” said Larry Jacobs, a political scientist at the University of Minnesota. “What rational politician would listen to the poor? They don’t vote, they don’t write checks, why care?”

Can you believe this guy?  Why care?  Hmmm….  Maybe to stand for rights and ideals instead of your own self-interest?  To represent a group that needs representing?  I guess Mr. Jacobs assumes that politicians are truly only in it for themselves, for the vote to stay in the realm of power and influence.  I hope he’s not right with such a careless blanket statement, but I have a sinking feeling about it.