“Barack Obama is the smartest man with the highest IQ ever to be elected to the presidency.” — Historian Michael Beschloss on the Don Imus Show, November 2008
Actually, in modern years, it was probably (Nuclear Engineer) Jimmy Carter. Common sense is obviously undervalued.
I always have heard “nuclear engineer” for Carter. There are two definitions for engineer: equipment designer and guy who runs the engine. Carter was the second. Now anyone who could be approved by Admiral Rickover is going to be bright, but he was trained to operate a reactor, not design one.
Reagan was pretty smart. He outsmarted his opponents at virtually every step. I don't know what Trump's actual IQ is, but he really is a genius.
Obama? He gave a good speech. He was clean. He played to white guilt. A perfect Manchurian Candidate. Smart? Not by my measure.