To a large extent, liberals have become trapped in the erroneous belief that intelligence is defined as the ability to deceive. Thus people like Reid, Pelosi, Obama and his handlers think they are geniuses.
Another false perception of the nature of intelligence is that it can be demonstrated by the use of ridicule and sarcasm. This I think is the product of public school social and moral dynamics, starting with rejection of the one true God.
All of postmodernism, existentialism and humanism is self-refuting from the beginning. The offspring of these ideologies is the liberalism of today.
The way to shed foolishness is available to everyone.
The question for any sincere liberal is this: If intelligence is not the ability to see and to elevate truth, then what is it?
Start by understanding this, Mr. Axelrod: When you say there’s no such thing as truth, 1) your statement refutes itself and 2) you set yourself on a path the only end of which is ultimate self deception.
I think you’re right about many liberals defining intelligence as the the ability to deceive. The street smart grift or con is what is respected.
Obama is a genius to them on that level.
There are many doctors or PhD’s or avidly follow liberalism just as they did Hitler and Stalin. Intelligence and wisdom converge and is a multifaceted thing.