Is George W. Bush an Idiot?

[mawilson 2,133]

I was being too kind earlier. He is an idiot.

Priceless!

[Mrs.J06 4]

He's a stupid, incompetent man surrounded/misguided by much more dangerous species in the background.

my 2c

[DeadPoolX 9]

Bush isn't an idiot by any stretch of the imagination. He may not be a certified genius, but he's not an idiot either. There is a middle ground.

I think the three main things that make Bush appear less intelligent than he really is are the following...

1. His accent. It's an unfortunate truth in life that when someone has a strong accent, others immediately attribute qualities to that person -- whether or not they deserve it. Accents can vary dramatically depending on country, state/province and region. Having an accent doesn't mean one is smart or stupid; it just means they speak with an accent. But thanks to Hollywood, we have these preconceived notions of what people from certain places "should" be like and and speak like, so if we come across anything that confirms these stereotypes in anyway possible, then it must be "true."

2. He doesn't deliver speeches well. I've never really understood this one. So what if Bush can't deliver a speech in the most articulate manner? That does in no way indicate his intelligence. Some of the smartest people I have ever met were terrible public speakers. Granted, they weren't politicians nor the President of the United States, but the point is that their inability to speak lucidly in front of an audience did nothing to diminish their intelligence.

3. Bush tends to act without thinking things through first. This is a problem, I'll admit that much -- especially for someone in his position. He often goes with his "gut instinct" or whatever he "feels is right" at the time. Sometimes that's all you have to go on and therefore, that's the best way to approach an issue; however, if there's an opportunity to think things through, look at all the angles, weigh your options, etc., then it's probably a good idea to do so. You might save everyone a lot of trouble (including yourself) in the end.

[carabao 0]

The economy is doing well and has grown for the past 5 consecutive years, unemployment is at a rate lower than the average for the last 40 years, the stock market is up, the poverty level is down, etc., yup... he's an idiot alright...

Personally, I'm as loathe to give President Bush credit for the Goldilocks economy we've enjoyed in recent years as I was to give President Clinton credit for the dot-com boom. Both events were the result (IMO) of private sector activity that they had nothing to do with, in addition to some smart fiscal policy by the apolitical Fed.

Agreed Troll. The results of economic policies from predecessor Presidents tend to be cast upon the incumbent whether for good or bad. The next 8 years should be interesting.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Bush isn't an idiot by any stretch of the imagination. He may not be a certified genius, but he's not an idiot either. There is a middle ground.

I think the three main things that make Bush appear less intelligent than he really is are the following...

1. His accent. It's an unfortunate truth in life that when someone has a strong accent, others immediately attribute qualities to that person -- whether or not they deserve it. Accents can vary dramatically depending on country, state/province and region. Having an accent doesn't mean one is smart or stupid; it just means they speak with an accent. But thanks to Hollywood, we have these preconceived notions of what people from certain places "should" be like and and speak like, so if we come across anything that confirms these stereotypes in anyway possible, then it must be "true."

2. He doesn't deliver speeches well. I've never really understood this one. So what if Bush can't deliver a speech in the most articulate manner? That does in no way indicate his intelligence. Some of the smartest people I have ever met were terrible public speakers. Granted, they weren't politicians nor the President of the United States, but the point is that their inability to speak lucidly in front of an audience did nothing to diminish their intelligence.

3. Bush tends to act without thinking things through first. This is a problem, I'll admit that much -- especially for someone in his position. He often goes with his "gut instinct" or whatever he "feels is right" at the time. Sometimes that's all you have to go on and therefore, that's the best way to approach an issue; however, if there's an opportunity to think things through, look at all the angles, weigh your options, etc., then it's probably a good idea to do so. You might save everyone a lot of trouble (including yourself) in the end.

That seems fair. People used to write off people like Hitler and Stalin (even Margaret Thatcher) as insane - but that's simply dismissive.

[~*Maria*~ 1]

That seems fair. People used to write off people like Hitler and Stalin (even Margaret Thatcher) as insane - but that's simply dismissive.

Margaret Thatcher was an idiot!! and a tory one at that

[mawilson 2,133]

Views of President Bush during today’s White House press briefing. (Photo: Doug Mills for The New York Times)

[LaL 418]

Edited September 21, 2007 by LaL

[~*Maria*~ 1]

[eclowjpd 0]

Not only is he an idiot, he may be the worst possible person to have been president during this particular period of U.S. history. Definitely the worst president in my lifetime.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

They are licking their fingers drunk off the blood of those they've killed.

This is not a gamble. This is real.

Edited October 4, 2007 by OlivianWaleed

[LaL 418]

[Frank+Jocelyn 1]

Guys like George are why we have term limits.

[AtlantiCat 0]

Guys like George are why we have term limits.

And what if he declares Martial Law and himself Supreme Dictator?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Guys like George are why we have term limits.

And what if he declares Martial Law and himself Supreme Dictator?

Unlikely - these guys are more interested in money than radical ideology. A totalitarian state being bad for business and all that...

Beauty of the US constitution is that its pretty robust, although that doesn't mean we shouldn't be vigilant for B.S. like wiretapping without a warrant.