Re: John Kerry -- The "Smart" Guy?????
Maybe this is an important lesson in how perception does not coincide with truth and fact. Being glib and able to speak eloquently often is mistaken for intelligence and smarts. Some of the best con men ever were among the most glib and able speakers. I've met too many real, real smart people in my life who can butcher the english language to equate glibness with intelligence. Often, these language butchers have a little advantage in life because other people tend to make snap judgments about their intelligence based upon their speaking skills and underestimate them.
(I make a caveat here that I don't necessarily believe good grades coincide with smarts and intelligence either).