I've never thought George Bush was Stupid.. You really can't be, and be president. I figure he's a smart guy, but a little more down to earth.
However, what he is not is eloquent. He wants to speak 'off the cuff' and ends up mangling words, sentences and speeches. I felt that he needed a better speech writers who could write to George Bushes style of speaking. And perhaps better handlers to make sure he never went off speech. That woul dhave likely helped immensely to prevent a number of his gaffes.
Palin, however, is different. I do not get the feeling that he's as intelligent. I think, however, she is ignorant, naive, and full of her own self-importance. The fact that she was tapped to by VP, and the sudden interest by the Media may have helped to convince her that she is important, and capable of doing the job.. whatever job that may be. However, she quit her job at Governor, and along with her.. unusual education record, I'm not sure she can really handle much beyond going on book tours, and soft interviews.
Palin may yet impress me, but I doubt it. Her gaffes have almost been worse than Bushes, and definitely worse than Obama's. (Biden is different., he seems to suffer from terminal foot in mouth disease). When she mocked Obama for his use of Teleprompters, but then appeared with writing on her hand, that was the killer. I'm sure she sees nothing wrong with what she did, showing more of her naivety. She may thrive in her current job, which is basically energizing the far right, but if she were actually placed in power, I think she would be unable to handle the media, the politics, or the stress.