Is former president George W. Bush really this stupid?  Here are some his quotes:
'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.'
- George W. Bush

'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.' 
- George W. Bush

'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.'
-George W. Bush


'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.'
- George W. Bush

'The future will be better tomorrow.'
- George W. Bush

'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.'
- George W. Bush

'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'
- George W Bush

'We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to  Europe . We are a part of Europe'
- George W. Bush

'Public speaking is very easy.'
- George W. Bush

'A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.'
 - George W. Bush

'I have opinions of my own --strong opinions-- but I don't always agree with them.'
 -George Bush

'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'
- George W. Bush

'For NASA, space is still a high priority.'
-George W. Bush

'Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children.' 
-George W. Bush

'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'
- George W. Bush

While he admits he was just an average student, he did get a BA from Yale and an MBA from Harvard. I thought these schools had high standards.  And, he was Governor of Texas and worked in business.  It takes some speaking ability and a few smarts to do that.   He also defeated Al Gore who is a very intelligent person.  How could he possibly have said things like this?   

Isn't this democratic process of voting supposed to produce the best of the best candidates for high positions.  I can't remember if it was the electoral college or the popular vote that tipped the balance in favour of Bush but either way, the people in both areas should be predominantly level-headed, common sense folk who want the best candidate elected.  What went wrong?  How did such an apparent 'dud' get elected?

I am currently reading a book by Susan Jacoby called The Age of American Unreason.   Maybe it will give me some answers.