I didn't classify Reagan as particuarly intellectually-gifted. He, like George W. Bush, were/are not the brightest guys around. Being president requires exceptonal intelligence and neither one of these guys fit into that category.

George W. Bush is totally incapable of seeing the big picture. However, I think Reagan could see little glimpses of the big picture. Little is the key word. Regardless, Reagan was in over his head. What would anyone expect from an actor, anyway?

Reagan's diminished mental capacity was apparent during his second-term. His verbal skills were slipping, and Nancy sometimes spoke for him.