anti-intellectual america

"...Mark Crispin Miller suggests the ascendancy of George W Bush and the Republicans can be accounted for by relentless pandering to the anti-intellectual undercurrent of American civic culture. Miller cites this quotation from Fox News chairman Roger Ailes: "What people deeply resent out there are those in the 'blue' states thinking they're smarter." In other words, many in red states are simply casting their vote against intellectual elitism. Miller's purpose in quoting Ailes is to support the claim that Democrats are smarter, and therefore are less electable in certain areas of the country. Yet the remark, carefully considered, and the evidence actually imply something entirely different. If the most significant political fault line in this country is formed around a gut-level dislike of elitist eggheads, the way swing votes swing probably has little to do with ideology, political stripe, or even bottom-line intelligence. A successful American politician must first and foremost project a non-egghead persona. He must simply connect with the public. Bill Clinton and George W Bush win, Bob Dole, Al Gore, and John Kerry lose."
-Michael R LeGault, "Th!nk"