# Is Sarah Palin dumber than Ronald Reagan? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 21, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453 "2010-11-21T17:10:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/81 "2010-11-22T03:22:44Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Sheeeeeesh! > > Moved. Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. There is a serious argument to be made comparing the intellectual capacity that the media and the left (both separately and the same as they are) of Palin and Reagan and the political success that they did, can, and might share. I was 19 when Reagan began his run for POTUS for the 1980 election, and I clearly remember strong attempts at portraying him not as just some washed up Hollywood actor and Governor, but as an idiot. Palin is going to run in '12, win or lose, mark my words. The left is constantly trying to portray her as stupid, even before they try to attack her positions on issues. To me this is the first resort of someone that has no real argument against her position on the issues. This is a real argument, a real question, and a real debate, not a rant! Move this thread back, please! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/82 "2010-11-22T03:23:10Z")
About the only thing I can think of regarding the “Reagan is dumb” meme is the classic SNL skit where Reagan acts ignorant and dim, if pleasant, then turns into a ruthless mastermind with his aides in private. I’m too young to have any real opinion, but someone who hung with Frank and his gang can’t have been all bad. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/83 "2010-11-22T03:24:02Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. If you really believe that, you’re an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/84 "2010-11-22T03:27:56Z")
I vaguely recall comedians doing their various impressions of Reagan and suggesting he wasn’t too bright. Randy Quaid imitated Reagan a few times during his stint on SNL, [though sometimes playing up indecisiveness](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF0Zi5BUn18) rather than stupidity. [This Phil Hartman](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4j7W4BiILM&feature=related) interpretation is quite a bit more complimentary and, I’d guess to some degree, represents the kind of President many Americans actually wish for. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/85 "2010-11-22T03:29:08Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. You’re a fucking moron. And the main reason I say so is to keep this thread in the Pit, where it belongs and where I can have the most fun with it. Dickhead. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/86 "2010-11-22T03:35:09Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. I agree. It was not a veiled Pit rant, it was a bald-faced Pit rant. From your OP: > [@](#): > > What I do love is how nuts she makes liberals. I haven’t seen this much ire since Reagan. Libbys are scared to death of her because, IMHO, she could actually become President and push this country back to the right where it belongs. This is blatant trolling, and when you pretend otherwise, it only adds to that inescapable conclusion. Sell your crocodile tears elsewhere, we are full up. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/87 "2010-11-22T03:37:31Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I vaguely recall comedians doing their various impressions of Reagan and suggesting he wasn’t too bright. Randy Quaid imitated Reagan a few times during his stint on SNL, [though sometimes playing up indecisiveness](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF0Zi5BUn18) rather than stupidity. > > [This Phil Hartman](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4j7W4BiILM&feature=related) interpretation is quite a bit more complimentary and, I’d guess to some degree, represents the kind of President many Americans actually wish for. See also: Richard Belzer’s entire stand-up career. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/88 "2010-11-22T03:41:14Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. Nah, it makes the wingnuts squirm to have it here, so the Pit is where it belongs. Happy squirming, wingnut. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/89 "2010-11-22T03:44:04Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. > > There is a serious argument to be made comparing the intellectual capacity that the media and the left (both separately and the same as they are) of Palin and Reagan and the political success that they did, can, and might share. > > I was 19 when Reagan began his run for POTUS for the 1980 election, and I clearly remember strong attempts at portraying him not as just some washed up Hollywood actor and Governor, but as an idiot. > > Palin is going to run in '12, win or lose, mark my words. The left is constantly trying to portray her as stupid, even before they try to attack her positions on issues. To me this is the first resort of someone that has no real argument against her position on the issues. > > This is a real argument, a real question, and a real debate, not a rant! > > Move this thread back, please! If you can’t figure out how to ask your question without insulting 95% of the board, then you don’t get to have the thread you want. We get to make fun of your politics now. And it’s not like people aren’t answering your question: even conservatives realize that Palin is a lot stupider. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/90 "2010-11-22T03:47:35Z")
As a liberal, I have to say, the idea of a Sarah Palin presidency scares the piss out of me. The idea of a Sarah Palin _candidacy_, on the other hand, would be like a blessing directly from the Almighty. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/91 "2010-11-22T03:52:48Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > As a liberal, I have to say, the idea of a Sarah Palin presidency scares the piss out of me. > > The idea of a Sarah Palin _candidacy_, on the other hand, would be like a blessing directly from the Almighty. I shudder to think of how much money we would raise. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/92 "2010-11-22T03:58:51Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > I shudder to think of how much money we would raise. We who? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/93 "2010-11-22T04:04:16Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > I shudder to think of how much money we would raise. Seriously, you wanna mobilize way more than the base, nominate Palin. But I warn you, it won’t be the base you had in mind. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/94 "2010-11-22T04:07:41Z")
I was 37 when Reagan got elected. As time passed it was clear something was wrong. I thought it was age related and his age was brought up regularly in the papers and news. If there were no signs, i doubt it would have come up so often. It was apparent something was wrong for a long time. When it was announced, we all thought, Ah thats what it was. Of course his belief and reliance on Astrology were certainly troubling if you want to think he was smart. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/95 "2010-11-22T04:14:07Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > We who? > [@DianaG](#): > > Seriously, you wanna mobilize way more than the base, nominate Palin. But I warn you, it won’t be the base you had in mind. _Moi?_ How many times do I have tell people I am a liberal bubblehead around here before folks start remembering? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/96 "2010-11-22T04:30:15Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I was 37 when Reagan got elected. As time passed it was clear something was wrong. I thought it was age related and his age was brought up regularly in the papers and news. If there were no signs, i doubt it would have come up so often. It was apparent something was wrong for a long time. When it was announced, we all thought, Ah thats what it was. Of course his belief and reliance on Astrology were certainly troubling if you want to think he was smart. What **gonzomax** said. That’s how I remember it. Regan was acting odd, and it got odder. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/97 "2010-11-22T04:31:45Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. **I** never said it was veiled. > [@pkbites](#): > > There is a serious argument to be made comparing the intellectual capacity that the media and the left (both separately and the same as they are) of Palin and Reagan and the political success that they did, can, and might share. That is possibly true. You are free to initiate that discussion in Great Debates. If you choose to do so, next time lay out a genuine thesis supported by facts and lacking the vitriol and insults of the OP of this thread and I will allow it to remain in Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/98 "2010-11-22T04:32:11Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > _Moi?_ How many times do I have tell people I am a liberal bubblehead around here before folks start remembering? That was a universal “you”, you bubblehead. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/99 "2010-11-22T04:49:20Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Move it back!:mad: The OP was **NOT** a veiled Pit rant. > > There is a serious argument to be made comparing the intellectual capacity that the media and the left (both separately and the same as they are) of Palin and Reagan and the political success that they did, can, and might share. > > I was 19 when Reagan began his run for POTUS for the 1980 election, and I clearly remember strong attempts at portraying him not as just some washed up Hollywood actor and Governor, but as an idiot. > > Palin is going to run in '12, win or lose, mark my words. The left is constantly trying to portray her as stupid, even before they try to attack her positions on issues. To me this is the first resort of someone that has no real argument against her position on the issues. > > This is a real argument, a real question, and a real debate, not a rant! > > Move this thread back, please! Okay, I’ll play along. Have you got some cites for your claim that > [@pkbites](#): > > Entire newscasts were dedicated to discussing if Reagan was intelligent enough to be President. ? Note that you used the word “newscasts”, indicating that there were multiples, not just one newscast. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453/100 "2010-11-22T04:54:49Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Seriously, you wanna mobilize way more than the base, nominate Palin. But I warn you, it won’t be the base you had in mind. All your base are belong to us. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sarah-palin-dumber-than-ronald-reagan/561453.md?page=6)