US AG makes ~ $205k, probably some COL adjustments for DC (there is for DOJ staff attorneys), call it $250k. Of course, there are other perks that can be equated to money - retirement plans, insurance, maybe free transportation (not sure, I think positions like CIA head get a driver), etc... If you're qualified to be US AG, then you can be a pretty big deal partner at a pretty big deal law firm. That's over $2m easy. Still, many/most would prefer US AG, at least for some period of time, because it's a more prestigious job, and those types can always be partners later if they need cash. Yeah, Lynch wouldn't exactly be destitute, but come on.
The US in particular seems very ill prepared for transgender bathroom issues. In 100 years, we're probably all in same gender bathrooms (lots of clubs have these, for some reason, because when you're hitting on chicks and drinking, dropping a deuce while they do makeup 10 feet away is totally hot I guess). I see the arguments on both sides. Are these laws needed? They seem more likely boogeymen laws to me, but I see the concern. Not like Japan which had a rampart upskirt photo problem when it mandated the shutter click sound for cameras.
Problem with the current R field is on the electorate and the process of primary season. People are dumb, and some candidates that would be fine choices (even if you disagree with their politics), like Walker, Kasich, Christie (although he's an ass, he has experience and he's not an idiot), Richardson, etc... but that's not what appeals to voters, particularly in early states when candidates have to find a niche to stand out. Early voters want religion (Huckabee, Cruz, Santorum, Carson) or big names (Bush, Romney, Trump, Forbes). You see the occasional upstart, like a libertarian-ish type (Paul, Paul), or a political outsider (Fiorina, Cain, Carson). Then for some reason the establishment coalesces around Senators, who are leaches on society. Congressmen exist to raise money to stay in power. They're all door to door vacuum cleaner salesmen, but they have TV or curb appeal I guess.