Jesper>>>

You are only harping on the bad points, how about when he thought up using shadow replication and shadow windmill(i think it was..) on Zabuza, or using Kiba's extreme ability to smell against him, for using shadow replication to fake that the rest of his teammates were in the mess with him against those ninjas in the 2nd part of the chuunin exam that had tons of replications(when they were almost to the tower), or tricking Neji in their fight in the stadium ect...
This in part reinforces what I said about him getting anywhere by virtue of his main character status. If we were to examine it closely (and we arnt supposed to since this IS an anime for enjoyment as opposed to a literary text) we can find a distinct break in continuity between his actions outside the critical moment of a fight, and those during it. To put it simply, there is a very significant difference in the competence of Naruto which is arguably put in because Naruto as the main character must be able to resolve situations - wether it is a social situation (like how he responds to Konohamaru when they first meet) or a fighting situation.

Of course, the plan to free Kakashi from Zabuza was no doubt a good plan. A rare moment of insight indeed. Why do we not see corresponding intelligence from Naruto elsewhere in the anime? Dont get me wrong - Im not saying that Naruto is mentally challenged. Just that is below average in intelligence.
You gave Kiba's smell as an example. There were 2 instances that his sense of smell was used against him. The first, to get rid of Akamaru, and that is attrubited by the Hokage as an idea from his background as a prankster. Good idea, but given that particular background (as prankster), someone else in his situation would likely have come up with a similar plan. The fart was pure luck. I wont even bother debating you there if you attempt to challenge this fact.
The shadow replications before the end of the second exam - same explaination as your point about freeing Kakashi from Zabuza. Same with the Neji act.

Of course, you might argue this - you then I'll ask you to explain just *why* is it than in almost every fight Naruto enters - especially when he is fighting with his teammates against an enemy - he invariably announces he is going to do something only to have someone else tell him to "stop" because it is a stupid idea?
He does this during the first encounter with Zabuza, and during the 2nd encounter with Zabuza. During the exam, Sasuke relies on Naruto's below average intelligence to distinguish him from enemies (he cant remember password). During the encounter with Orichimaru, he fails to grasp the situation and blindly attacks.
At the end of the 2nd exam, Iruka uses Naruto as an example of someone who is lacking 'mind'.
During the 3rd exam prelims, he rushes in to fight Neji and is stopped by Lee.
During the 3rd exam, he rushes in for hand to hand combat and ONLY THEN realises that hand to hand is bad! And that after seeing Neji's fighting style and training for a month to defeat it!
Attack on Konoha: During the case after Sasuke - Naruto's idea is to go through a fight between 2 unknown opponents. The smart idea which Sakura and Pakkun have to explain to him is to go around.
Fight with Gaara: Threatening to beat Gaara up if he hurt Sasuke or Sakura while he could easily kill Sakura (Isnt the last thing you want to do in that situation provoke it?).
Encounter with Itachi: Im going to beat them up even though theyre after me and can Kill me without any problems!

Are you seeing a pattern? You should be. The above list covers just about EVERY fight that has taken place to date. The comment by Iruka should have been the equivalent of a sign with flashing lights and complementary bells and whistles.
No matter how you argue, it does not change reality. It is a FACT that Naruto isnt smart. Its his character weakness for goodness sake! If Kishimoto had wanted to think Naruto was smart like you seem to proclaim, he wouldnt have Naruto doing/suggesting something stupid at some point during ***EVERY*** fight! Its not like its an isolated incident you know!

If you choose to be blinded by some fanatical devotion to a particular, thats fine. But really - it isnt all that hard to open your eyes and see what should be blindingly obvious. Noone is denying that Naruto has come up with some smart ideas but as they say, 1 dog does not a pack make. (IE, it takes more than a smart idea to be called smart).