J.D. Gordon: Outsmarting Obama

Via J.D. Gordon at the Washington Times:Though Mr. Obama and Mrs. Palin are no doubt extremely skilled politicians and remarkably intelligent overachievers - hence becoming a president and a Republican vice-presidential candidate - the tale of the tape on their intellect is that it's actually much closer than conventional wisdom might suggest.In fact, given Mr. Obama's track record in comparing his 2008 presidential campaign to the results of his presidency thus far and contrasting it with Mrs. Palin's steadfast leadership of the Tea Party movement, which is changing the political landscape of the country, I would argue that she is actually smarter than Mr. Obama.First, Mrs. Palin understands that lofty campaign promises don't equate to good governance. Mr. Obama's presidential campaign, centered around "hope and change," has led to runaway spending in a roughly $800 billion stimulus bill, dramatically increased unemployment to roughly 10 percent - twice the rate of George W. Bush's administration - and ushered in Obamacare, which the majority of Americans oppose.[...]Unlike Mr. Obama, Mrs. Palin can relate to Main Street. While the Obama family jetted to Martha's Vineyard, Maine and the Spanish Mediterranean coast last summer alone, the Palins have been connecting with the American public throughout the United States in dozens of speaking venues and other appearances, including "Dancing With the Stars." In a recent California speech, Mrs. Palin pointed to the plight of Central Valley farmers who can't get water for their crops while 37,000 jobs have been lost in the process - all to save a 2-inch fish (the delta smelt) which was rescued through an environmentalist lawsuit. "In Alaska, we call a 2-inch fish bait," she said wryly.More here.(h/t Josh Painter)

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