That isn’t quite what it said.
A whole lot of people for instance absorb the images they saw so frequently on SNL, Palin seeing Russia, the athletic Ford being a clumsy oaf, HW Bush ‘wouldn’t be prudent’.
A matter of interpretation ... but the very things you mention are what I’m talking about. People rag on Ford for being clumsy ... because a comedian told them to think that. People rag on Bush (pick one) for being stupid ... because a comedian told them to think that. People rag on Palin for being a “ditz” ... because a comedian told them to think that. People ragged on Reagan for being senile ... because a comedian told them to think that.
Like I said, it takes a special kind of stupid.
Half the population is below average ...