The smart ones don't end up gunned down in the street. He wouldn't have made boss if he wasn't related to Carlo. He lost a chess match to Gotti, so I'd say no. Probably a smart businessman type that would have made it in the legit world, but definitely not a street guy or savvy to the street politics. Need both to be a smart gangster.

But then again, he made a fortune and set his kids up in legitimate businesses---they're set for life with most likely generational type wealth so he did reach heights most don't.......