I'm not sure that intellect is such a useful political attribute these days. "Compliance" is more useful since policies are determined by one of two major parties from whom elected decisionmakers almost inevitably are drawn in the US. Obama can do his best to shift Democratic policy but the level of his brightness isn't a major determinant. I'd also observe that any decision-making politician selects advisers and endures career bureaucrats of great influence, since no one person can grapple with all the issues of all the bills. I suspect that the ability to say "no" also is a more valuable attribute, especially as politicians become more and more beholden to campaign contributors.

The reason I like Palin is because advisers and bureaucrats would struggle to subvert her intentions. It'll be too obvious, unlike other negotiators who will disappear behind closed doors to fix the level of autonomy/resistance that will prevail. The optimist in me also says that there is an opportunity to show her an alternative viewpoint to which she then can attach her enthusiasm. Sure she may not listen, but the prevalent alternative is expediency, closed-door dealings and politics that resembles an elitist joust rather than a process for the common good.