I disagree. I think Rats are every bit as stupid as the pubbies. They have just been more disciplined until Trump came along and made them lose their cookies.
The Republicans are smarter than the Rats.
The Rats have not been required to be smart; only reliably left and pliable by the Mediacracy. The Media has been on their side (and reliably progressive Republicans) for decades.
The Republicans have had to balance their base and the Media. Those that are conservative have had to be smart to survive.