experience - what does it mean?

DosEquis · 03-05-2008, 11:53 AM

Ironically, the shows that get me thinking the most are the Daily Show and Colbert Report. The 24 hour news stations seem to decline in the quality of their coverage more and more as this whole process continues. They are supposed to report news and I feel like I am watching opinions, especially on Fox as a whole, and Olberman on MSNBC.

Anyway, Colbert's rant last night made a very strong argument against those claiming to be more experienced than the other. If you missed it last night, I'd set the DVR or catch one of the replays today. It was pretty good.

There is no arguing that John McCain has the most experience by far of any potential candidate running for the 2008 election. What can be argued is through John McCain's tenure he has made his fair share of controversial decisions and his fair share of mistakes. When you want to run on experience, you have to take the good with the bad. It's only fair to get credit for the good and be held accountable for the bad. Is it really that smart to run on experience when it includes so many things his own party does not like? For this candidate, I think running on experience is going to be a double edged sword. I think a good 60-70% of people voting for him are just voting party or the "lesser of two evil" strategy. His 'experience' or history is what some republicans have a major issue with. In his experience he has flipped flopped so much he makes John Kerry look like a steadfast leader.

We also have an example of someone with little experience being in office the last 8 years. His judgement and political aspirations were flawed.

I do not think it comes down to who has more experience than the other for this role of president. I think the most important factors are judgement, leadership, and who they are going to pick to surround themselves. The vice president choice, cabinet choices, and otherwise. I think they need to surround themselves with good people for specific jobs. Barack or Hillary need to include popular, experienced, democrat and/or republicans in their cabinet.

Kind of a tangent...

Two examples I can think of would be Wesley Clark should be in there as a secretary of defense or vice president. Joe Biden should be in there as a secretary of state or vice president. The attorney general should be a person of great integrity that will follow the constitution, republican or democrat. Bill Clinton, popular around the world and a good speaker, could be ambassador to the UN.

Barack reminds me of Nebraska's new football coach. Not a whole lot of experience, but can fire people up around a cause and surround himself with good people who get shit done. (second part remains to be seen for obama)

7960 · 03-05-2008, 12:08 PM

"experience" is crap...

how much did W have? he was governor of texas but other than that what qualified him?

and how much did bill have? he was governor of a backwards state that's still backwards today but by most accounts his presidency wasn't a complete failure.

at least bush v1 was vice president...that sorta seems like a qualifying event.

at least reagan was governor of a state that had one of the top economies in the world.

carter??? wtf did he do besides farm peanuts? (sarcasm)

anyway, talking about "experience" for a job only 43 people have ever had is kind of stupid.

DosEquis · 03-05-2008, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

"experience" is crap...

how much did W have? he was governor of texas but other than that what qualified him?

and how much did bill have? he was governor of a backwards state that's still backwards today but by most accounts his presidency wasn't a complete failure.

at least bush v1 was vice president...that sorta seems like a qualifying event.

at least reagan was governor of a state that had one of the top economies in the world.

carter??? wtf did he do besides farm peanuts? (sarcasm)

anyway, talking about "experience" for a job only 43 people have ever had is kind of stupid.

GHWB is probably the most experienced president we have ever had. He served in the military, ended up head of the CIA, served terms as vice president, etc. The most experienced guy, at least in recent history, only served a 4 year term...and lost to the guy from the backwards state.

David Octavius · 03-05-2008, 12:43 PM

The candidates are using experience as a calling card of fear..who do you want answering that phone at 3 am?

7960 · 03-05-2008, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by David Octavius

The candidates are using experience as a calling card of fear..who do you want answering that phone at 3 am?

someone who doesn't have to "put on her face" before opening the door

DosEquis · 03-05-2008, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

someone who doesn't have to "put on her face" before opening the door

"The president is in makeup for the next hour, after she is out she will address the nation regarding the terrorist attack which took place in one of our cities today"