Obama and the Experience Argument

[Update: It was pointed out to me that I called the diarist out by name. Sorry, forgot about that rule (although by linking the diary you can see the person's name anyhow, so it's all the same, no?)]

This diary is written in response to another diary wherein he or she insinuates that Barack Obama's lack of political experience disqualifies him, or at least underqualifies him, to be President of the United States. And so the diary proceeds to lambaste the media for not stating unequivocally that Barack Obama is not qualified to be President of the United States, and so forth and so on...

So given the premise that vast and extended experience in government is the sine qua non for a successful presidency, let's test this notion by examining the public sector experience of the presidents who are widely regarded as the most successful in our nation's history.

When historians and political scientists are asked to rank U.S. presidents from best to worst, the top five are almost always George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt. I think everyone would agree that no modern politicians can be compared to Washington and Jefferson owing to the unique formative period in the country's history when they served as president. So that leaves the latter three. Let's examine their political experience pre-POTUS

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT: State Senate 1910-1913 (3 years); Assistant Secretary of Navy 1913-1920 (7 years); Governor of NY 1928-1932 (4 years) - TOTAL YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE: 14 Years.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT: U.S. Civil Service Commissioner 1888-1895 (8 years); President of the Board, NYC Police Commissioners 1895-1897 (2 years); Assistant Secretary of the Navy 1897-1898 (1 year); Governor of NY 1898-1900 (2 years) - TOTAL YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE: 13 Years.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: Illinois State Representative 1834-1842 (8 years); 1854-1856 U.S.Congressional Representative (2 years) - TOTAL YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE: 10 Years.

Now let's compare BARACK OBAMA: Illinois State Representative 1996-2004 (8 years); U.S. Senator 2004-2008 (4 years) - TOTAL YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE: 12 Years.

And just for fun, let's examine the pre-POTUS resume of another President who wasn't too shabby:

BILL CLINTON: Attorney General of Arkansas 1976-1978 (2 years); Governor of Arkansas 1978-1980, 1982-1992 (12 years) - TOTAL YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE: 14 Years.

No further commentary. I'll leave that for discussion in the comments below.


Display:


Tips and such (2.00 / 17)

Tips and such
by Saintcog on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:23:25 PM EST

Re: Tips and such (2.00 / 2)

Dude, as much as a fool Yellowdem has proved himself to be, you are not allowed to call him out in a diary.
But, REC'D!
Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:27:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tips and such (2.00 / 6)

A really big fool.

Self declared homophobe.

Disgusting individual.

I have no idea how homphobia is acceptable but sexism and racism are ban worthy offenses.


No way. No how. No McCain!
by spacemanspiff on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:29:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

In a progressive blog like this one, (2.00 / 1)

homophobia is not allowable.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:42:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: In a progressive blog like this one, (2.00 / 2)

Seriously.  That diary was atrocious.  I was embarrassed for MyDD.  I'd rather see more of the Chinese elctronics spam diaries that filth like that again here.


Unseen, in the background, Fate was quietly slipping the lead into the boxing glove.
by fogiv on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:18:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: In a progressive blog like this one, (2.00 / 1)

Hey Saintcog, your update is worthy of a rec.  Shoot.  I already rec'd.  How do I do another?  :)


Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:55:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: In a progressive blog like this one, (none / 0)

Huh?  Did you mean to address me with this?


Unseen, in the background, Fate was quietly slipping the lead into the boxing glove.
by fogiv on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:59:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: In a progressive blog like this one, (none / 0)

The diarist is Saintcog.


Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:10:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: In a progressive blog like this one, (none / 0)

I know, but you responded to my comment.  Threw me for a loop is all.  No worries.


Unseen, in the background, Fate was quietly slipping the lead into the boxing glove.
by fogiv on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:19:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 1)

Rec'd.  The Linclon and Clinton Comparisons are pretty close, with the exception that Clinton had executive experience.


by NewOaklandDem on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:27:01 PM EST

Lincoln had way more experience (none / 0)

and distinguished himself clearly. In the short time he was in the Illinois state leg, his peers elected him Whig Party leader. Then in his own law practice he tried 400 cases, many before the state supreme court. Obama never tried a case. In fact, look for his accomplishments as a lawyer (not as a law professor.) You'll find that on one or two successful cases his firm fought, he was a member of the team.

I think what stands out is Obama, aside from being Harvard Law Review president (at which time he never published any articles, so the next year they established a formal requirement that the president HAD to publish) didn't distinguish himself much.


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:31:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lincoln had way more experience (2.00 / 2)

Obama was a lecturer in Con Law, and a comunity organizer, and won a tough Senate Primary against the Chicago Machine.  

But you really don't care, do you?  You just looking to score points.  Bravo to you, I say.

Anyway, we'd be lucky as a nation if Obama was half as great a president as Lincoln.


by NewOaklandDem on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:34:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lincoln had way more experience (2.00 / 4)

"Anyway, we'd be lucky as a nation if Obama was half as great a president as Lincoln."

Interesting concept.  Let's fill in the table a bit more:

Barrack Obama = 0.5 Lincolns
John McCain = 0.05 Lincolns
George W Chimpboy = 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000001 Lincolns


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 07:25:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lincoln had way more experience (2.00 / 1)

I think you are giving chimpy waaaaay too much credit. You should have left off the 1.


"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson
by MS01 Indie on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 09:31:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lincoln had way more experience (none / 0)

Actually, there should be residual RNA simularities, (from several thousand generations back), that I believe will justify the "1."  

It's unfortunate that anyone has to share a genetic branch with Chimpy, but that's evolution for you!


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 10:39:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lincoln had way more experience (none / 0)

I'll bet Jeb wishes he didn't share dna with chimpy.


"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." Samuel Johnson
by MS01 Indie on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 10:46:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lincoln had way more experience (none / 0)

Truer words have never been spoken.  

I believe that there is a video from a couple of years ago at Jeb's retirement as governor:  Bush 41 is speaking at his son's departure, and he starts to tear up about this exact thing.  He knew that the "Bush" brand was dead.  Jeb was supposed to be the heir apparent.

GHWB knew in 2006, how much his son had fucked up his presidency, and also knew that Jeb's future as a politician was also over as a result.  


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 12:05:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lincoln had way more experience (none / 0)

Wouldn't you say that, all things considered, Obama has done plenty to distinguish himself from his peers? People like to dismiss it as "he gives good speeches", but the truth is it takes a broad and varied skillset to achieve what Obama has achieved in the last 15 years.


www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com
by LandStander on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 09:53:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hmmm... (none / 0)


In virtual synchronicity with Bush's acquiescence to Obama's policy on Iran, the government of Israel exchanged prisoners and remains with Lebanon and Hezbollah.  Two days before Obama's arrival in Israel the government announced the construction of a new Arab city in Galilee, the first such project since 1948.  In his June address to AIPAC, Obama specifically recommended his own prescription for peace that included the following sentence:

"Israel can also advance the cause of peace by taking appropriate steps consistent with its security to ease the freedom of movement for Palestinians and improve economic conditions in the West Bank."

It is now abundantly clear that the junior Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, is having an impact on international diplomacy even though he is still merely the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

Michael Carmichael - Obama Forces Flip-Flops to Paralyze McCain The Huffington Post 23 Jul 08

Influencing policy before he's even elected?  That's not just experience, that's phenomenal.  Some of you may have forgotten he majored in Political Science with a specialisation in International Relations at Columbia University, a breeding ground for State Department careerists and think tankers.


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 10:55:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (1.50 / 2)

how can you count a state senator as experience for president?

In my diary, I should have focused on experience rather than foreign policy.

But the fact is,

Clinton had experience being a chief executive.

Other people have had experience in a statewide position, and then having to defend their record of acheivement.

Obama has never had to make tough decisions on a national level and then stand for reelection and defend himself.

We don't know who/what he is.

As evidenced by the last 2months of switching rhetoric and positons.

no one could say,
obama would definitely do this or that.

there's no experience or track record on virtually anthing of substance.

I'm going to take  a chance and vote for him because i'm a dem, but i dont' have to act like he is qualified when he isn't


by yellowdem1129 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:35:03 PM EST

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 3)

So then what experience did Hillary have? She didn't have any executive experience. No, being married to Bill doesn't count.

This is why this experience meme was so ridiculous to me.


by sweet potato pie on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:43:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So why is a Obama related article always (2.00 / 4)

turn into bash Hillary? If Obama is targetted unfairly, comment on that and prove the meme wrong.

Your above statement

So then what experience did Hillary have? She didn't have any executive experience. No, being married to Bill doesn't count.

is so way out of proportion, completely ridiculous, something that was bandied literally freely in the primary camp by anti HRC folks especially in the blogs. Hillary Clinton, while married to Bill Clinton, worked mostly in the private sector practicising as a lawyer ('78-'92) and a partner to the Rose Law Firm before Bill started his first presidency in 1992.
For your information HRC was selected as a Top 100 lawyer nationally by Time magazine twice during that period. When Bill was earning $35,000 salary as the Arkansas Governor, she was the one earning enough in the private sector to run the family.

Learn more,
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articl e/0,9171,974745-1,00.html

Thank you very much for your time.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:40:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

To be fair... (none / 0)

Clinton's experience in Rose Law Firm wasn't "executive experience."  Technically the logic holds.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:08:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A law firm partner does have private sector (2.00 / 1)

executive experience..technically the logic does not hold.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:14:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Fair enough (2.00 / 1)

I kinda consider "executive experience" to be on the order of "CEO" or "President."  I always got the impression that Clinton was Rose's master networker, not really a decision-maker type.

That said, I tend to agree with you that not counting her extensive pre-office experience is extremely short-sighted, just as Obama's Harvard Law Review and community service experiences are significant.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:21:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think the Law Firms or likes of the Auditing (none / 0)

Firms work little differently than other companies where there is a single CEO or President. In a Law Firm it is the partners responsibility to bring in the business clientale. I'm not a lawyer or an expert in private practices that's my limited knowledge.

But definitely yes to what to you said about pre-office experiences for Obama and HRC.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:26:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I think the Law Firms or likes of the Auditing (none / 0)

DramAmicron, there is no comparison of experience on the national scene between Hillary and Barack.  To state otherwise is disingenuous.  Do I really need to remind you of Hillary's involvement in Nixon's impeachment?  Her bonafides since?
The nomination is settled.  The primary is over.  The conversation is now Obama and McCain (and, for purposes of this diary, some fool who posted a diary that is incoherent, at best, but who claims to be a yellow dem).

Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:44:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Er, what? (2.00 / 1)

Nobody's arguing with you.  I'm not denegrating what Clinton's done in her life, I was making a distinction over types of experience, and later admitted that it wasn't all that important in the long run.  

Why are you making fun of my name like a grade schooler?


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:59:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Once you realize she's had more decision-making (1.00 / 1)

experience, you can safely conclude "it wasn't all that important in the long run."


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:33:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

With all due respect (none / 0)

I'm not talking to you.  I'm talking to Denny.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:39:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

NANCY REAGAN FOR PREZ!!!! (1.00 / 1)

Clearly let us be consistent, I mean, she has governors wife experience and presidents wife experience, clearly the most qualified candidate.


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:00:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: NANCY REAGAN FOR PREZ!!!! (2.00 / 1)

Your snark reeks of Democrat attack.  


Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:03:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: NANCY REAGAN FOR PREZ!!!! (2.00 / 5)

Being the Presidents wife is not experience to be president.  If I recall correctly, early in Bill's presidency she tried to be active and failed miserably.  Then she went back to the background and made some speeches and hosted dinners.

The argument on its face is silly, Hillary and Obama are both qualified, both gave different talents and abilities.  Both are natural born citizens over 35. But the claim that Being a Presidents wife qualifies one is silly.  


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:24:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sexist sexist (none / 0)

Just evaluate her experience. Do not nullify years on her resume because she was somebody's wife. You set all women back when you do that.


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:34:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I am not (2.00 / 2)

I am stating that being s presidents wife is not experience, it just isnt.  The work with Rose is, her time in the senate is, things she did on her own are. The being first lady argument is flawed at best.


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:37:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I am not (2.00 / 2)

I haven't seen anyone claim in this thread that being the president's wife counts as executive experience (although it certainly is some type of experience).
You can stop beating that dead horse now.
by skohayes on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:54:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A law firm partner does have private sector (none / 0)

Umm... "Executive Experience" generally refers to the EXECUTIVE branch of government, i.e. the Presidency.


Gobama!
by USArmyParatrooper on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:48:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There are a number of different interpretations (2.00 / 3)

General Clark, for example, considers strategic theatre command to be "executive" experience.  Others consider governorships or mayoral positions to be "executive."  Some others believe that running a company grants the sort of high level responsibility that's desired in a leader.

Personally I find it all to be bullshit, because there's not a single candidate who is ready to be president when they're chosen for the position the first time; it's not the sort of job where you can really get ready for it via methods other than on-the-job training.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:05:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

She led efforts though (2.00 / 1)

he only participated on teams in the brief period he was at a civil rights law firm.

In terms of taking initiative and leading, Hillary Clinton outflanks Obama by a pretty clear margin.

At least it looks that way if you compare their Wikipedia pages.


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:17:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

how can you count a state senator as experience? (2.00 / 5)

Since you're obviously a McPuma, I'm goint to go out on a limb and guess you were for Hillary (or pretended to be)?

How can you count a first lady as experience?

Arkansas First Lady -- 12 years
US first Lady -- 8 years
US Senator -- 7 years

Clinton had experience being a chief executive? When was that?

The only thing yellow about you is your fear of the truth -- and your cowardly fear of admitting you're really a Republican.


by Beren on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:59:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Slight correction (2.00 / 2)

As far as I can tell, yellowdem1129 has always been a Clinton supporter, going back at least to December of last year, perhaps beyond (well before Republican infiltration began in earnest).

He's simply a very conservative DLC Democrat who idolizes people like Harold Ford, Jr.  It may be somewhat distasteful to admit, but these sorts of conservative Democrats have been with us a long time, and will remain with us... especially with the new winning strategy of tailoring conservative Democrats to win conservative districts (see Cazayoux, Don).  Governor Dean is alright with having them if it means breaking the Republican hegemony, so I guess we should be as well.

That doesn't change the fact that yellowdem here has disasterous policy ideas and doesn't bother to hide his homophobic feelings, so feel free to tear him apart on those issues.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:27:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: how can you count a state senator as experienc (none / 0)

Are you sure the Clinton being referred to isn't Bill Clinton?  


by Susan from 29 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:28:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: how can you count a state senator as experienc (2.00 / 1)

Who knows what kooky Obama haters really mean in their fact challenged minds?


by Beren on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:33:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: how can you count a state senator as experienc (1.25 / 4)

Oh, we are fact challenged? Your prize already-president-in-his-own-mind presumptuous nominee today said that the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs was HIS committee "MY committee" in his words. This is Chris Dodd's committee and Obama isn't even on it. Perhaps it has been so long since he did any work there he has forgotten what committees he is on, or now, because he is president, they all belong to him.
Of course, facts are just those pesky little unimportant things.....
by Marjoriest on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:16:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What's hilarious (2.00 / 2)

is how you self-identify as a "kooky Obama hater".

Mojo for honesty!

By the way, here's some random Wikipedian edumacation for you:


For pronouns as elsewhere, the genitive does not always attribute possession. Consider the following examples:

   * my child and my mother

Although one might argue for ownership of a child, it's much harder to argue for the ownership of a mother. The relation here is not ownership but kinship.

   * my dream

This relation is less clear: one does not quite own their dreams.

   * his train (as in "If Bob doesn't get to the station in 10 minutes he's going to miss his train")

Bob normally does not own the train.

   * my CD (as in "The kids are enjoying my CD")

This noun phrase could refer to the CD that I own, the one with music that I recorded, the one that I bought for the kids, or some other relation identifiable in the context.


by Neef on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:26:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What's hilarious (2.00 / 1)

He said "MY committee" - very clearly, with emphasis. Now if he thinks he is in complete charge of all the committees - Lord of all he surveys - hmmmmm..... maybe.
He could have said "My committee" if he was on the committee as a member - but he isn't.
As he said the 'my' he put one hand across his chest, clearly showing the 'my' as if it belonged to him.
Thank you for the wiki lesson - but it won't sell.
It was a lie.
by Marjoriest on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:48:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So are you intentionally forgetting that HRC (2.00 / 1)

was a top ligitator on her right during the time she was Arkansas First Lady? She was working as a lawyer in the private sector just like of most of us normal folks who work to make ends meet for the family. For you and some anti HRC folks, being selected by Time magazine as a top 100 lawyer nationally during that time frame may not mean much, but for most of us it is an indicator that she was a top lawyer and that experience means heck of a lot.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:46:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As does (2.00 / 3)

Obama's experience as a community organizer that some Clinton folk crapped all over as meaning nothing.


The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.
by nrafter530 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:57:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

sure ...if some pro-Clinton folk did that..they (2.00 / 3)

are completely wrong. Community organizing is not an easy job. It is a great life learning experience for one who wants to be in public service. Those who crapped over it doesn't know what it entails.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:01:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So are you intentionally forgetting that HRC (2.00 / 1)

I'm not forgetting anything. I'm simply holding others to the same standard of experience that yellowcake held Obama to.

If we use your standard instead, then Obama's experience as a Constitutional law scholar and community organizer should count.

That's fine by me. But double standards aren't.


by Beren on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:00:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Of course it should count. Who said it shouldn't? (none / 0)

How many folks have Obama's experience as a Constitution Law scholar and community organizer in their resume? It is plain BS not to count that as experience.
 
by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:05:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Of course it should count. (2.00 / 1)

I would add that such experience adds more to Obama's judgment than decades in the corrupt Congress has added to McBush's.


by Beren on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:09:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Absolutely. It is a life learning experience.. (none / 0)

We should be glad that there are folks like Obama who worked as community organizers, folks working for other NGOs fulltime, giving up lucrative careers to help people and community.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:12:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Just to add to it. Remember Obama could do (2.00 / 1)

it because his wife Michelle Obama was working hard in the private sector earning enough to run the family. Similarly while Bill was the Attorney Gen or Governor, HRC was working in the private sector. These are life experiences, nothing to diminish anybody.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:17:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just to add to it. Remember Obama could do (2.00 / 3)

So nice to see the conversation turn into another primary war.  Hmmn.  Is there a PUMA diary aroud?  I've got time to waste!  :(


Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:15:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's crazy..the primary war is done ..over... (2.00 / 1)

we have a candidate to defend. I'm not one of those who think we have already won and the Presidency is already in the bag. We win when Obama is elected in November and Dems win back the Senate and the House with higher majorities.


by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:26:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's crazy..the primary war is done ..over... (2.00 / 1)

Agreed on all points.  Why do people still bring up Hillary?  


Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:44:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Because they are some deadenders on the other (none / 0)

side of PUMA who wants to use any ruse to keep on bashing HRC. Most Obama and Clinton supporters have moved on to join the UNITY bandwagon excepting the deadenders.
 
by louisprandtl on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:58:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That is sexist (1.75 / 4)

to say those years don't count because her husband was serving in a higher profile position than her.

Did you know that every year they were married, until Bill was elected governor, that she supported him financially because she had a better salary?

A common thread throughout her career is a focus on children and health care:

Rodham maintained her interest in children's law and family policy, publishing the scholarly articles "Children's Policies: Abandonment and Neglect" in 1977[70] and "Children's Rights: A Legal Perspective" in 1979.[71] The latter continued her argument that children's legal competence depended upon their age and other circumstances, and that serious medical rights cases, judicial intervention was sometimes warranted.[50] An American Bar Association chair later said, "Her articles were important, not because they were radically new but because they helped formulate something that had been inchoate."[50] Historian Garry Wills would later describe her as "one of the more important scholar-activists of the last two decades",[72] while conservatives said her theories would usurp traditional parental authority,[73] allow children to file frivolous lawsuits against their parents,[50] and argued that her work was legal "crit" theory run amok.[74]

Also in 1977, Rodham co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, a state-level alliance with the Children's Defense Fund.[36][75] And later that same year, President Jimmy Carter (for whom Rodham had done 1976 campaign coordination work in Indiana[76]) appointed her to the board of directors of the Legal Services Corporation,[77] and she served in that capacity from 1978 until the end of 1981.[78] From mid-1978 to mid-1980[79] she served as the chair of that board, the first woman to do so.[80] During her time as chair, funding for the Corporation was expanded from $90 million to $300 million; subsequently she successfully fought President Ronald Reagan's attempts to reduce the funding and change the nature of the organization.[68]


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:21:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: That is sexist (2.00 / 1)

Ever heard the story of the boy/girl who cried, "sexism!"?

Eventually nobody paid any attention.

Bitter Deadenders, in the zeal to attack Obama, will employ any double standard available. But it isn't hard to debunk them because they are are so specious.


by Beren on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:14:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: That is sexist (none / 0)

Nope.  Never heard of "the story of the boy/girl who cried, "sexism!"  Please recite the story.


Purity! Or else!
by ChitownDenny on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:23:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: That is sexist (none / 0)

Once there was a boy and girl who belonged to a cult. Every time someone pointed out that the leader of their cult was no more or less qualified to be president than the candidate who beat her they cried, "Sexism! Sexism!"

Finally, no one paid any attention to them and they were eaten by Republican wolves.


by Beren on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 08:30:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My mother (2.00 / 1)

is married to a carpenter and I wouldn't trust her to hang a picture. I'm so tired of the "she was married to a President" argument.


The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.
by nrafter530 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 07:14:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 3)

"Clinton had experience being a chief executive."

Which, of course, is all-important, as evidenced by Governor Richardson's impressive primary performance ...


by Collideascope on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:19:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 2)

how can you not count being a state legislator as experience? He had to work with both sides of the aisle, write legislation, and vote. Sounds like being a U.S. Senator.

That's like saying that being a governor doesn't count because it is not the same as being president. The only way to gain experience as president is to actually be president.

But it sounds you like you already have your mind made up. Find whatever excuse to vote against Obama you need, but don't think you'll convert people with this biased crap. You are essentially saying, "The only experience that counts is the kind my candidate had."


by Lolis on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:27:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (none / 0)

who cares if other people have had the same experience?  Other candidates in the primaries early on had far more experience and were better "tested" than either Obama or Hillary. It didn't seem to get them anywhere

And it's not as though you couldn't look at his record in the state legislature to find that it was a microcosm of what he would do (and has done) in the Senate.  


by Tenafly Viper on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:40:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 8)

I've always felt that experience isn't worth much if you still arrive at the wrong conclusions...like John McCain.


No way. No how. No McCain.
by freedom78 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:42:34 PM EST

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (none / 0)

Exactly.


by sweet potato pie on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:43:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 1)

Cheney and Rummy probably have more cumulative experience then almost any duo who have ever served that high up in an admin!

They had lots of experience all right. All of it BAD!


"Well the danger on the rocks is surely past... Still I remain tied to the mast"...Don Fagen, Poet and Piano Player
by WashStateBlue on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:56:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 6)

Having seen the track records of some previous presidents with "executive experience," I can't see how that should be a prequisite, or even the primary criterion. In fact, it was the "CEO" selling point that got us into the current mess.

And truth be told, given the extensions of executive power sought by this administration, I like the idea of the next president coming to the office with the experience of being a community organizer rather than a chief executive. I think that mindset will mitigate against the kind of power-grabbing we saw this time around, and will lead to less gridlock and animosity between the branches.


"The world is a mess, and I just need to rule it." -- Dr. Horrible
by BobzCat on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 02:58:01 PM EST

Old chesnut (2.00 / 8)

When someone like John McCain claims he has 25 years experience, the question should be, did he actually have 25 years of experience or one year of experience 25 times?


by Susan from 29 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:26:03 PM EST

Re: Old chesnut (2.00 / 1)

Brilliant one-liner!  Worth cherishing!  

I'll be using it shortly on some of my McFriends.


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:55:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If experience = qualification (2.00 / 3)

then GWB is currently the most "qualified" person in the country, for the President's job. His experience is as long as any other President's, and is the most recent/relevant.

Since GWB can't run again, the most qualified person, BAR NONE, is

Dick Cheney

I think I can be forgiven for not believing experience is the last word in qualifications.


by Neef on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:28:27 PM EST

All these experience people (2.00 / 1)

I wonder, would you ever vote against an incumbent? did you vote for Bush in 2004? He had more experience than Kerry...he actually had the job.


The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.
by nrafter530 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:30:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Exactly (2.00 / 1)

no incumbent should ever lose, if experience is the bar. As you point out, they HAVE the job, the other guy just wants it.

BTW, I don't think experience is the be-all-end-all, if it wasn't apparent from my post.


by Neef on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:34:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No it was (2.00 / 1)

clear...I was just piggybacking on your argument.


The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.
by nrafter530 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:56:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This is how I explained it to a Christian guy (2.00 / 2)

So how do you pick a pick pastor? Do you pick a pastor based on how long he has been preaching? Or do you pick a pastor based on his a.) knowledge of the Bible, b.) feelings he inspires you, and c.) his values and ethics?

McCain has proven a lack of knowledge about foreign policy, he inspires disgust in me, and I do not share his values and ethics. If you are the opposite, vote for him.

Sure I'd want a doctor who had the most experience to operate on me but if he had a malpractice complaints against him or seemed confused a lot I wouldn't let him cut me open simply because he has held a license longer. I consider McCain's blind support of the Iraq War malpractice. If you don't, fine vote for him. But please take your illogical drivel to another sight.


by Lolis on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:32:37 PM EST

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (none / 0)


by mazement on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 03:53:12 PM EST

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 4)

I never understood the unexperienced meme. I just ignored the people spouting them and laughed at their pathetic attempts to paint Obama as anything but PRESIDENTIAL.


No way. No how. No McCain!
by spacemanspiff on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:16:22 PM EST

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 3)

Or as having a hell of a two handed jump-shot!

(OK, Presidential as well, but I can just imagine his campaign folks going...

"NO! DON'T SHOOT IT, IF IT MISSES FOX WILL RUN IT 24/7..DON'T....

OH, Nice shot..."


"Well the danger on the rocks is surely past... Still I remain tied to the mast"...Don Fagen, Poet and Piano Player
by WashStateBlue on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:25:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 1)

That shot was sweet.


No way. No how. No McCain!
by spacemanspiff on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:30:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 1)

Definitely... But I was absolutely terrified the second before it left his hands until the second after it hit the net.

It somehow felt more important than any other basket I've seen this year...  And I'm a Celtics fan!


by TCQuad on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:36:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 4)

Probably the first 3-pointer in history worth 3 electoral votes.


by Shaun Appleby on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:23:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

For real (2.00 / 2)

I guarantee you, when the McCain camp saw that shot sink they were sick to their collective stomachs.


by Neef on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:48:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: For real (2.00 / 1)

Yup, I can see the RNC marketing folks:

"OK, Kill the bowling ad...the guy has game after all!"


"Well the danger on the rocks is surely past... Still I remain tied to the mast"...Don Fagen, Poet and Piano Player
by WashStateBlue on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:48:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A the pumas are still about (none / 0)

Hillary has 7 years of any kind of experience, because being someone's wife does not make one qualified to do anything.  Yes, Bill Clinton has plenty of experience, Hillary Clinton does not.


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 04:58:48 PM EST

Sexist - do you nullify a man's experience (2.00 / 1)

all the years he spent married to his spouse? No. Of course not. But when it's a woman, well her lawyering and advocacy and expanding access to health care and establishing standards for education are blocked because she's just a wife.

She distinguished herself well before she married Bill. She also supported him financially every year they were married until he was elected governor.


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:25:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sexist - when you truely have no argument (2.00 / 1)

You are so full of crap it hurts.  If Kathleen Sebelius's husband ran of Governer based on his being her husband he would be laughed out of town as well.  

I don't discount the other things she did, I also don't discount the things Obama did, because I am actually an honest person and not a hack.  

I am not saying she is not qualified, I am saying she is, but the Presidents wife angle is a joke.  There is no set qualification for being president, and both had impressive histories.  

Sadly for you, I am no sexist, because anyone that attempts to get a job on their spouses name is a joke, man or woman, it does not matter.


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:30:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

They would ask what he did (none / 0)

in his career, and they would not discount what part he played in her administration.


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:36:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

His career (2.00 / 1)

They would measure his career, not the career of his wife if he was applying for the same job.


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:39:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You just did it again (none / 0)

Yes you are a sexist - you just trivialized her entire career by nullifying everything she did up until the time Bill retired.

Thanks for reinforcing a stereotype of all women that they are trivial and their work doesn't count.

If Mr. Sebelius ran for office, and he had experienc e in his own right, would you do the same? Somehow I think instead of ASSUMEing he was trying to capitalize on his wife's name, you would first ASK - well what has he done? What is his experience? What was he doing when his wife was in office? If he helped her get elected, was an instrumental political strategists, should that count as experience?


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:40:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You are a Feminazi (2.00 / 1)

See, 2 can play the name calling game.  If Mr. Sebelius ran on an "experience" of being governor theme based on his relationship to the governor, he would deserve to be laughed out.

If Barack Obama applied for a job as an administrator for a hospital based on the experience of his wife, he would be laughed at.  This is not being sexist, this is saying just because you were married to someone does not mean you are qualified to do their job.


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 05:47:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I rest my case. (none / 0)

I didn't know you blogged here, Rish Limbaugh!


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:01:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You fail at most things (2.00 / 1)

good thing you are half decent at name calling.  Was your husband a great name caller, because you seem qualified.


"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"
by Brandon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 06:06:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't have a husband (none / 0)

you assume because I speak up against sexism that I'm the little woman?


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 07:28:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I don't have a husband (none / 0)

He refers to husband as that is what you guys are talking about...does a 'spouse's job' give the other spouse the experience thing.  why do you turn this into an attack?


by mariannie on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 02:24:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Like I said (2.00 / 1)

My mother is married to a carpenter and I wouldn't let her hammer a nail into a wall...and she wouldn't even try.

My aunt is married to a surgeon and nobody would give her a scapel.

It's not sexist to say a woman cannot claim being married to a person who does a job experience to hold said job herself.


The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.
by nrafter530 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 07:18:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nullify nullify (none / 0)

hammer a nail into a wall? She must be physically disabled.

Yes it is sexist to NULLIFY you missed the key word NULLIFY all the experience she accumulated during the years she was in her husband's shadow.


by catfish2 on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 07:29:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sexist - do you nullify a man's experience (none / 0)

Nothing sexist here. You know why? Because you can reverse the situation and the argument is identical. In fact, the argument holds just as much water if we were talking about a same-sex relationship, or a parent-child relationship.

It has nothing to do with her being a 'wife'. It has everything to do with the simple and painfully obvious fact that Hilary Clinton was never President.

What if a gay politican, let's call him Steve, was married to a gay lawyer, who we will call Bob. Steve becomes president (hooray!) and Bob becomes the... er... 'first partner' I suppose. Then, a decade later Bob runs for president and people say "oh, sure, Bob lived in the White House but he was never actually president! He doesn't have executive experience!". You could argue if this is true or not all you want. But you sure as hell couldn't claim that this argument is sexist.


www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com
by LandStander on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 10:03:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sexist - do you nullify a man's experience (none / 0)

The experience which Hillary Clinton brought to her candidacy as a result of the years she spent as first lady, to me, was a lot like the sort of experience which a Vice President brings if this person has not played a large role in the administration (which, historically, describes most VPs).

Both have a tremendous amount of experience handling the ceremonial functions of the office (and that's not trivial, a president is someone who does have to represent the entire country, and VP and First Lady are really the only two other offices where someone takes on this unusual task).

Both develop connections throughout the federal government (that's not trivial, either, how long does it usually take a president to learn the name of whomever is serving as the head of, say, the Dept of Fish and Wildlife, a VP and First Lady both know this person exists and the chances are considerably better that a relationship with this person also exists).

Lastly, the proximity which both have to the workings of the federal government make it possible for each to have both a well-developed sense of what he or she might like to do and how it might actually get done (governors and senators, by contrast, usually spend the first two years learning how the federal government is different from state government or the legislative branch, respectively).

What being Vice President or First Lady (or, if you prefer, First Consort) doesn't do, I'll agree, is provide someone with actual experience in making the sorts of decisions which a president must do routinely (not talking about problem solving, per se, so much as the "buck stops here" sorts of calls which someone at the apex of an organization must be able to make in order to steer its course).

While some might challenge the relationship between cause and effect, Clinton's performance during the primaries suggested that she was someone who didn't have much experience in this last area.  She didn't seem to know a lot of what was going on in the various echelons of her organization.  At the beginning and end of the primaries there were periods when her campaign seemed rudderless.

That's not as harsh a verdict as it might first seem, because there aren't many jobs which prepare people for this sort of thing (being VP, for instance, generally doesn't, and neither, I think, does being a senator).

Which president brought the sort of experience to the White House which was most similar to that of Hillary Clinton's?  Curiously, I'll suggest it was Richard Nixon in 1968 (he'd served two terms as Eisenhower's VP, but during this time he wasn't given any responsibilities, and before that he'd served in Congress for eight years.

There's another way one needs to look at this, though, because the sorts of abilities we're talking about are a combination of acquired skills and innate talent.  Top prize probably goes to Lincoln, who had no experience in executive office before he became president, was probably the least qualified person ever to make it to the White House, but is also rightly regarded as being one of the two or three most-skilled practitioners when it came to using the powers of the executive branch.  


by IncognitoErgoSum on Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 09:50:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama and the Experience Argument (2.00 / 1)

Just to set the record straight, I believe Lincoln's term in Congress was 1846-1848. He did not hold public office again for 13 years when he became President in 1861. Otherwise, excellent diary and rec'd


by amadon on Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 07:53:12 PM EST


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