Bush and his father, both of very limited talent, would never have been near the White House but for Ronald Reagan. Derivatively, Jenna Bush, of even less talent, would never have been near the Today Show but for Ronald Reagan. Republican organizations have Lincoln/Reagan dinners - ever hear of a Lincoln/Bush dinner?
You are correct laconic Ronnie and having a nasty campaign manager in Lee Atwater took him over the finish line in 1988. In 1992 his lack of skill connecting with people caught up to him.
In 2000 after the Clinton Lewinsky scandal should have made it an easy layoff for W. He and Karl Rove made it a nail biter so much so the only reason he won was because his lawyers where better then Gores.
In 2004 he barely won Ohio which gave him a second term look at that state now.
Even Nixon was more honest than 41 and 43....