but lost their elections.
In my opinion George W. Bush realized that many voters DO NOT LIKE intellectual people and played a likable but not very well educated or, for that matter, a very intelligent person. I don't believe that he has an extremely high IQ by any means but he had the ability to gain the support of a large segment of the voters.
It is possible to argue that Bush stole the election from Al Gore, but the fact remains that the election was extremely close. There was no doubt who appeared to be the smartest man in that election, but Al Gore came across as "wooden" and intellectual. G. W. Bush came across as far more "average" and many Americans want to like their President. They simply dislike and distrust intellectuals.
It seems that Democrats often pick the wiser, better educated and more intelligent candidate to run for President. Republicans win when they pick the more likable candidate. In the last election, the situation was reversed. Obama was the likable candidate; John McCain was the old grouch.
At times we do pick a candidate that has the combination of brains and the ability to connect with the common person. Bill Clinton is an example. He was extremely bright but never projected that image. He didn't deny his intelligence but didn't flaunt it either.
One thing that I find troublesome is that Democrats and the liberal media often enjoy laughing at our opponents and pointing out just how stupid they are. While It is great fun, many on the conservative and independent sides see it as bullying or piling on. Americans love underdogs.
Had we basically ignored Sarah Palin after the election she would have faded into obscurity, somewhat like Dan Quayle (George H. W. Bush's vice president).
But we didn't and neither did the late night comedians. She used all the ridicule and laughter to rise to a prominence that she would never have achieved without it.
We must be careful not to allow ourselves to be viewed as "elitist".
We are supposed to be the party of the common man, not the party of the ivory tower intellectuals.