The Value of Experience

politically speaking

It seems to be getting a lot of play lately, with some sort of bizarre comparison of the experience between Obama and Palin.

OK, fine, whatever.

Exactly what prepares one to be President?  Or more to the point, can anything prepare you for it?

Since I’ve never been President, and have no plans to do so now or in the future, maybe it’s a question I can’t answer.  I’ll give it a shot anyway.  I think it’s one of those jobs that you’re going to be horribly unprepared for, no matter what your background is.

So get over the experience issue.  It’s irrelevant.

Instead focus on what it is the candidate is going to try to do.  Because the office of President is a very powerful one, regardless of the resume of the office holder.  So no matter who gets elected, experienced or not, the simple act of occupying the office will supply enough power to push through some of the things they are trying to do.

And when they wake up in the morning on day 2 of their Presidency, they’ll have one day of experience, which means they’ll be one of the few people in the history of the world with any experience at all in the office.

tommy @ September 3, 2008