So the ideal president would be a progressive intellectual, the likes of Woodrow Wilson? Well, I guess it would be better leadership overall, but it could have some bad side effects.

I think you missed the point, which was that sucking up to people too stupid to make up their minds after 5 years of the Bush Administration should not be encouraged to vote.

Playing to the base is how Bush won the GOP nomination, nearly won the 2000 election, got out in the vote and kicked ass in the 2002 election, and again won in 2004.

The Democrats have been dumb enough to think that an "inclusive" party, that appeals to swing voters at the cost of its base can somehow compete against Bush's base. Which, of course, has been disastrous for them. Karl Rove probably giggles in glee "Hillary's trying to be a Republican? Heheheheee!" whenever he sees a Democrat try to "move to the center"

It's all about getting YOUR BASE OUT TO VOTE. Again, screw the swing voters if they can't make up their goddamned minds. Two Dems at the polls count twice as much as one soccer mom.

To comment on the end of Bill's speil, he must not have watched the 2003 film American Splendor, where there is a great insight.

as quoted in imdb.com

Mattress Guy #1: So is the girl smart? Mattress Guy #2: Well, I guess she's about average. Mattress Guy #1: Average! Man, average is dumb!

I don't want my president to be the smartest guy class. I want him to be the 3rd smartest guy in class who has good people skills and is a ntaural leader, and threw the winning touchdown pass...seldom is the smartest guy a great leader