I’ve never had reason to think Vance was any smarter than the average person.
But I just want to point out that smart people also get fooled by scumbags and confidence tricksters. People are almost always smarter in some areas compared to others, and so even if you’re smart in science or politics, that doesn’t mean you’re going to see every con from a mile away.
I also don’t think he’s so much tricked by them as he’s an opportunist that sees MAGA as his fast track to the Oval Office, and he’s happy to sell his soul and lie through his teeth to do it. But also, yeah, he’s not stupid, per se, but neither is he particularly intelligent or competent.
I’ve never had reason to think Vance was any smarter than the average person.
But I just want to point out that smart people also get fooled by scumbags and confidence tricksters. People are almost always smarter in some areas compared to others, and so even if you’re smart in science or politics, that doesn’t mean you’re going to see every con from a mile away.
I also don’t think he’s so much tricked by them as he’s an opportunist that sees MAGA as his fast track to the Oval Office, and he’s happy to sell his soul and lie through his teeth to do it. But also, yeah, he’s not stupid, per se, but neither is he particularly intelligent or competent.