gerald ford isn't even an example of an exceptionally smart or capable person. he was a good football player. that got him into michigan and made him appeal to joe sixpack as a politician just like reagan's sitcoms did. the presidency is based on relating to the lowest-common denominator as much as anything-name the last president to do anything exceptional in a results-based capacity in the private sector.
yes, one's environment is a major factor in the expression of phenotypes like religion/what language you speak. and after those two examples, it can't explain ANYTHING by itself.