"George Bush is an intellectual compared to her." - Oliver Stone on Sarah Palin

John McCain, Sarah Palin pass on city premiere of Oliver Stone's 'W.'

BY JO PIAZZA
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, October 15th 2008, 10:31 AM
'W.' director Oliver Stone at the premiere Tuesday, flanked by Elizabeth Banks (l.), who plays First Lady Laura Bush in the movie, and Thandie Newton, who plays Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

'W.' director Oliver Stone at the premiere Tuesday, flanked by Elizabeth Banks (l.), who plays First Lady Laura Bush in the movie, and Thandie Newton, who plays Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The red carpet was rolled out Tuesday night for the blue state premiere of Oliver Stone's "W." - the controversial biopic of President Bush.

Two big-name politicos - John McCain and Sarah Palin - declined a personal invite from the director, even though they're staying right across the street from the Ziegfeld Theatre at the Hilton.

Stone said he extended invites to the Republican presidential and vice presidential nominees yesterday morning - but they opted for a fund-raiser instead.

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That was just fine with the Bush-bashing director, who seems to despise Palin even more.

"I don't think Sarah would understand the picture," Stone said on the red carpet outside the famed W. 54th St. theater.

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"It has a lot of complicated dialogue," he zinged.

"George Bush is an intellectual compared to her."

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Stone insists "W." is not an attack on the commander in chief.

"It's very fair. It's based on a lot of research. It was not done with malice," Stone said.

Some of the flick's stars actually think that Stone, who also directed "JFK" and "Nixon," wasn't hard enough on Bush.

"It isn't Bush bashing, but it should be," said Richard Dreyfuss, who portrays Vice President Cheney. "He will have a long and healthy life and hopefully spend most of it in depositions. Hopefully, history will be unforgiving."

Josh Brolin, who plays the President, flashed a peace sign across the street toward the Hilton, where McCain is staying.

He was coy when asked whom he would be supporting in the upcoming election.

"I don't know if this film will have any impact or not, but it will certainly be an education for the American people," the actor said.

One education folks did get is how hard it is to get into red-carpet premieres. Hundreds showed up to see "W.," including many chanting slogans in support of Democrat Barack Obama, but not everyone with tickets got in.

The event was overbooked.

jpiazza@nydailynews.com