I am a conservative. Don’t confuse that with “Republican,” because they are not necessarily the same. I have voted for both Democrats and Republicans, but have voted for the Republican Presidential Candidate in every election I can recall because the Republican presidential candidate is almost always the more conservative choice.
In pondering the differences between the way liberals and conservatives select candidates, I have come to the conclusion that liberals vote for the person they perceive to be smarter, while conservatives choose the candidate they think is wiser. No, those are not the same.
Jimmy Carter (Liberal, Democrat) had graduate education in nuclear physics, but was arguably one of the worst Presidents in recent history. Smart, but not wise.
Ronald Reagan was a B-level Hollywood actor before politics, and was probably no rocket scientist, but was wise in his understanding of human nature and the power of patriotism. Wise, if not smart.
B.H. Obama is certainly well-educated and smart, but he is proving to be less than wise.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (Psalm 111:10)
Conservatives prefer candidates who show wisdom by openly proclaiming their fear of and dependence upon the Lord. A wise elected leader can hire smart advisors, but a smart elected leader seldom seeks out wise advisors. Watch what liberals always attack about conservatives: Bush was an idiot… Palin a doofus.
I’ll always vote wise over smart.