Why are so many Americans so worried that someone might be smarter than they are, or as it usually is put, “acting smart?”

There are millions and millions of people smarter than me. So what? Why do Americans have such a problem with that? It seems some sort of weird pathology that is peculiarly American in my experience.

People said what they liked about George W. Bush is that he seemed like a regular guy they could have a beer with. That’s not who I want to be president. I want the smartest and most clever damn person we can dig up.

I guess I am just not smart enough to understand this oddity.