It can be both
That sort of normal, positive influence on American society by personal example and just kind of being a wholesome person, and not a big piece of shit, used to be a pretty common thing, even inside some of the lower levels of official politics
Then Reagan got involved and it’s been all downhill since then, to the point that now someone who is trying to do good things is this kind of outlandishly precious gem that people can barely believe is possible (and yes totally in heard of within the Republicans)