First, congratulations on your internship!
I'm gonna say some things that other people may not agree with, but I'll try to offer the best advice I can.
I'll try your second question first: If you're significantly altering your life in a negative way so you can engage in a private fetishistic activity, I would suggest that that isn't healthy. A happy balance is good, changing career plans that you really want to follow is not.
And likewise, completely shunning a part of your private persona isn't the best idea either. Finding a happy balance is.
Of course, I think you have probably picked the second hardest career path to co-mingle with an AB lifestyle. I'd say the hardest would be superstar entertainer, but you'll have enough problems as it is.
You may get people telling you to use your political connections to try to bring about positive change in public outlook for the AB world. As you mentioned him in your initial post, I'll just re-remind everyone what happened to Senator Vitter. And he was a Senator...
So here's my advice. Be happy and merry, but don't do anything stupid, ever. Some people can pull it off, but you're talking about a pseudo-sexual activity, and those are really, really hard to redeem in the public eye. Don't call up a phone sex line, don't go to brothels, find prostitutes, use your credit card to excessively purchase AB goods... Be careful who you tell! If you tell your significant other, be sure not to hurt her(or him, but then alas, you have a new set of political problems!) enough that if you run for office they will start talking to the press and letting things "slip." Decide if it's worth the rush or the emotional satisfaction to wear at work.
Here's the big difference: In a normal workplace, your boss or co-workers shouldn't care. Angela Bauer could clear this up better than I ever could, but I believe there are legal restrictions against their discriminating against you. In a political situation, however, it's all different. If you're on a campaign people with brilliant legal educations can figure out a way to get rid of you so you don't hurt the campaign. If you're going for reelection as a politician, there's nothing you can do to tell 30,000+ constituents that they can't discriminate against you.
It's possible, but it's hard. I've been in politics for a few years now, and I'm continuing to follow that path. Just make sure you're careful, and everything will work out ok. It's very possible!
But I apologize if this disheartened you or anyone else in any way. Other opinions may well be happier!