Do you really HAVE to be smart to become president? I think you need to be motivated, very wealthy and be well connected or come from a well connected family. It takes some talent and charm to network and make connections if your family didn't do it for you but I don't think you need to be a genius. I think, like many things in life, with motivation and money you can get a lot of things done and succeed even if you are not the smartest and the brightest or even close.