Bush - What do you think?

I've taken a few days to write along a very different plane, and loved this comment when I came back. It's by Mike C., and I wanted to put it out here for anyone to answer. It was left in one of my Top 100 Bush Moments posts. I'd like to hear all your answers before I post my own thoughts, and I'd like to repost your thoughts (whether they come through e-mail or in a comment) on this post.

You know, I've often wondered about the President. Specifically, I've wondered "why does he do and say the things he does? Of what can he possibly be thinking?". At first it seemed to me that he was, in fact, an idiot. But as emotionally gratifying as that view was (and it IS emotionally gratifying) I'm not sure that it's accurate, or at least wholly accurate. I've come up with 3 possibilities for his often inexplicable and destructive behavior:

A). He is stupid, not much more than functionally literate. He's almost completely at the mercy of those around him, who use them for their own ends. Not smart enough to understand anything beyond simple algebra.

B). He is reasonably intelligent, perhaps even very much so, but his intellect does not really drive his decision making process. He has deeply held beliefs, and when confronted with situations that challenge his beliefs, he will look for and accept any explanations that support these beliefs, no matter how seemingly preposterous they are to others. He has no talent or stomach for critical self examination. He actually believes almost everything Karl Rove (and other like minded individuals) says, because it is comfortable for him to do so. And perhaps he's not the most gifted public speaker either.

C). He is utterly corrupt and dishonest. He does not care for the welfare of the country or world. He is interested only in using his position to benefit a small group of powerful wealthy friends and supporters.

Or, a fourth possibility, a combination of all or some of the above.

What do you think?

UPDATE:

From Annette (on Blogger)

I think he is a true idiot. I also think he is a sheep. He is easily lead, and that is why he surrounds himself with the people he has and does. Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and Rumsfeld and so forth. I think they were the true leaders of the country, Bush was just the figure head.

I often wonder what would have happened if Jeb had gotten into office instead of George. Would things have been different? That is the way it was supposed to have been, but George jumped in ahead, trying to score points with daddy I guess, he had always been such a screw up. Jeb is known as the smart one...lol Now we may never know, because George has probably ruined Jeb's chances, thank goodness...not sure the country can stand another Bush and I don't think I want to try.

2 is enough. MORE than enough.

From Wayne Gallant (on Open Salon)

I think he's crazier than a March Hare.

Basically, a combination of B and C, with sociopathic overtones.

From Mike C (on Blogger)

I think a 60%B, 30%C, 10%A solution. Not sure what supporting evidence I can come up with and at the moment I'm too lazy. Let's just call it a gut feeling.... :)

From Seven Crows

I have struggled with this question myself and I think that it is a combination of B and C. Also throw in a profound sense of his own importance and an utter lack of interest in anything outside his own personal world. He is from the upper class. He and his compatriots are certainly right because otherwise they wouldn't be upper class would they? You can see in his reactions that he doesn't understand at all what it is like to not have enough money to do whatever he wants. The people killed by Katrina: well, why didn't they just hire a limo to drive them away? That just proves to him that they are stupid and not as smart as the upper class.BAH! I hope that soon I will not have to think about him at all ever ever again.