A smart president

richlevy • May 19, 2003 8:48 pm
I was wondering how much intelligence is needed to be a *good* president. Of course leadership and charisma are important, but is it possible to lead smart people effectively if you yourself are not smart?

I only had ten choices out of 42, so choose the smartest in the list.
Torrere • May 19, 2003 9:14 pm
Woodrow Wilson. I'm not sure who would come in first on that list.
Radar • May 19, 2003 9:19 pm
Woodrow Wilson said on his deathbed that he single-handedly ruined America. He was president when the 16th amendment was illegally ratified and helped create the Federal Reserve System. He got us into WWI, because he was HEAVILY influenced by Colonel Edward Mandell House (lived in the white house) who was associated with the Fabian Society. He is among the worst presidents America has ever had.
juju • May 19, 2003 10:16 pm
Heh heh heh.
Scred • May 19, 2003 10:34 pm
Smartest == "best"? "most competent"?

i think not. so i voted for the most psychotic, but quite possibly the smartest.
juju • May 19, 2003 11:15 pm
Hey, speaking of the 16th amendment, the government gave me $2085.30 yesterday for turning in my tax forms. It's sort of like winning the lottery.
elSicomoro • May 19, 2003 11:19 pm
Clinton did some not-so-smart things, and he was by no means the best president. But smartest? I'd give it to him.
Radar • May 19, 2003 11:27 pm
Hey, speaking of the 16th amendment, the government gave me $2085.30 yesterday for turning in my tax forms. It's sort of like winning the lottery.


That's hilarious! Someone who thinks they've won the lottery because the theif who robbed them at gunpoint returned a bit of the stolen loot.
Tobiasly • May 19, 2003 11:34 pm
I wouldn't put up too much of a fight against declaring Clinton the most <I>intelligent</I>. But there are different kinds of smart, and intelligence is only one of them.

I agree with Scred. Intelligence doesn't necessarily make for a good president, and the lack thereof doesn't necessarily make for a bad one.
Radar • May 19, 2003 11:45 pm
Technically Carter had the highest IQ of any president who was measured. But judging from writing, I believe Jefferson was the most intelligent president followed by Adams.
juju • May 20, 2003 12:27 am
I thought you'd like that. :)