You don't have to be insecure about her being so much smarter than you. Open your mind and give the books a read. If you are truly objective, you must come to the conclusion that she is the most awesomest.
Most of her dialogue is so on point it makes you pause a moment and just think about it. Reminded me of Tyrion Lannister in the first few seasons of GOT.
The election subplot doesn't even exist in the books. I agree it was slow and irrelevant in the big picture.