Larry you're confusing people doing stupid things with being stupid. Obviously GWB is not a completely stupid person. He can read cue cards very well. The very word "stupid" is a value judgment anyway. It is not measurable at all. So, in many ways you're right that it's purely my observational bias. But to imply that there's no thought going along with that bias is simply another one of those labels and stereotypes you like to assign - He dislikes Bush, therefore he can't possible rate each situation on its own merit and in-depth investigation.

Kerry might not be a genius but you can at least see the wheels turning, no matter whether you agree with the outcome. Intelligence to me implies that people constantly re-evaluate situations, apply new evidence and constantly rework their choices. To a neo-con that's waffling and flip-flopping. When I see someone making a stand and never changing their opinion even when events around them change, that rigidness gives me the impression of a lack of sound reasoning ability or, as some know apply that ability, as a lack of intelligence.

It's obvious we're never going to agree on this. Get over it.