On Tire Gauges and Republicans

Obama:

"So now the Republicans are going around -- this is the kind of thing they do. I don't understand it! They're going around, they're sending like little tire gauges, making fun of this idea as if this is 'Barack Obama's energy plan.'

"Now two points, one, they know they're lying about what my energy plan is, but the other thing is they're making fun of a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4 percent. It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant."

Regarding the anti-intellectual streak in American culture, which also manifests in the level of discourse of American politicians (and party zealots)... isn't at least trying to be smarter and trying to learn more stuff fundamentally a good thing?