Yep. In 2000 we very nearly elected the stupidest man ever to run for President under a major party label. In 2008 we actually did elect the most extremist/radical candidate (left or right) ever to run. Gore's deficient intelligence was obvious. But we nearly elected him anyway. Obama's extremism was obvious. But we did elect him anyway.
Even given a shamelessly partisan media covering up and gainsaying Gore's idiocy and Obama's radicalism, I'm still mystified as to how this happened.