re: #182 sagehen

Bush the Elder wasn’t a great public speaker (serious charisma deficit), but his intellect was at least double his son’s — before he set out to run for Pres he’d been Ambassador to China, Director of the CIA, RNC Chair, and done well at all of them.

but for being president, charisma and the ability to connect is more important than intellect. George W. was a more effective president than his father, and much of than is attributable to the fact that he was far more able to connect with the voters.