The Straight Dope

Go Back   Straight Dope Message Board > Main > Great Debates

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 01-17-2007, 02:40 PM
Jophiel Jophiel is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
What Experience is Obama Lacking?

Ever since, well, since Obama spoke at the DNC and people started saying he'd be president someday, I've also heard "He's not experienced enough". But I haven't heard anyone explain exactly what experience he's lacking, particularly when compared with previous presidents.

As I understand it, Barack Obama spent a decade teaching constitutional law, so I'd think he knows his American governmental system on paper. He spent eight years in the Illinois State Senate and a couple years now in the US Senate so he has legislative experience. He's been on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee so he has at least dipped his fingers in the international relations pool.

I guess I'm just wondering what qualifications did Bush/Bush Sr, Clinton, Reagan, etc bring which are essential for "having the experience" to be president? A governorship? Is it the experience with working a state budget? Experience with working with a legislature? If so, would it matter how many Senate terms Obama served? No one is hassling McCain about his lack of executive experience as a governor, mayor, etc.

I don't have a horse in this race yet. The election is forever away and any number of people may join, drop out, etc. I'm just asking about the basis for the "Not enough experience" criticism for Obama.
Reply With Quote
 

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:29 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

Send questions for Cecil Adams to: cecil@chicagoreader.com

Send comments about this website to: webmaster@straightdope.com

Terms of Use / Privacy Policy

Advertise on the Straight Dope!
(Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks.)

Publishers - interested in subscribing to the Straight Dope?
Write to: sdsubscriptions@chicagoreader.com.

Copyright © 2013 Sun-Times Media, LLC.