# Carly Fiorina: John McCain and Sarah Palin aren't qualified to run a corporation **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 16, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875 "2008-09-16T19:24:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/1 "2008-09-16T19:24:56Z")
Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP and current economic advisor to John McCain and Chair of Victory 2008, today in a radio interview said that Palin isn’t qualified to run a “major company, like Hewlitt-Packard.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7yyc32ciiGs/hqdefault.jpg "Carly Fiorina on Sarah Palin's experience") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yyc32ciiGs) Later, Fiorina appears on MSNBC and says John McCain couldn’t run a major corporation either. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8pJhLsDSIgU/hqdefault.jpg "Fiorina: McCain doesn't have experience to run a corporation") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pJhLsDSIgU) Now I understand a country is not a corporation, but if a close advisor to John McCain admits that John and Sarah aren’t qualified to be the Chief Executive Officer of a major company, how are we supposed to trust them to be Chief Executive Officer of the United States, as well as Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces? Are Fiorina’s quotes effectively saying John McCain and Sarah Palin can not run the United States of America, which has quite a larger budget than, say, Hewlitt-Packard? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/2 "2008-09-16T19:30:08Z")
FWIW, I’m sure she’d say the same about Obama. Heck, the folks that run Hewlett-Packard said the same thing about Carly Fiorina, in essence firing her in Feb 2005. She was responsible for the acquisition of Compaq, which kind of bit HP in the butt. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/3 "2008-09-16T19:34:31Z")
Any schmuck pulled off the street could have run some of the companies I’ve worked for. Of course, it would help if the schmuck was the son or daughter of the old CEO. ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/4 "2008-09-16T19:35:59Z")
I think very highly of Carly Fiorina and personly wish she was running for higher office. I don’t have the ability to watch these clips right now, but what she is saying makes a lot of sense. Of course McCain and Palin aren’t qualified to be CEO of HP. They, like most politicians, aren’t qualified for all sorts of jobs. They wouldn’t make very good doctors, football coaches, chefs, roustabouts, or lots of things. They are trying to make the case that they are qualified for President and Vice President. It takes a very different skill set. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/5 "2008-09-16T19:36:52Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > FWIW, I’m sure she’d say the same about Obama. Heck, the folks that run Hewlett-Packard said the same thing about Carly Fiorina, in essence firing her in Feb 2005. She was responsible for the acquisition of Compaq, which kind of bit HP in the butt. I’d expect her to say it about Obama. I’m a bit surprised she’d say it about her “guys.” And how does her incompetence at running HP make her assessment of McCain-Palin less valid? Especially since she’s McCain’s top economic advisor? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/6 "2008-09-16T19:37:23Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > FWIW, I’m sure she’d say the same about Obama. She did say that. But that’s beside the point. That point being, she’s supposed to say that Palin and McCain _could_ run a corporation like HP, whereas Obama and Biden couldn’t. But she didn’t distinguish her candidates from their opponents, alleging them to be _more_ qualified, rather, she dismissed all four as being (in her opinion) equally _un_qualified. > [@LonghornDave](#): > > They are trying to make the case that they are qualified for President and Vice President. It takes a very different skill set. Then explain to me why they keep touting this “Executive” experience thing, if it’s not really a skill set that falls under the qualifications for President or Vice President? ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/7 "2008-09-16T19:44:13Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > She was responsible for the acquisition of Compaq, which kind of bit HP in the butt. I would not agree that it has “bit HP in the butt”. It was certainly controversial, but I think it has worked out in the end. HP is the world’s largest PC seller and their shares are trading near a 5 year high. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/8 "2008-09-16T19:44:25Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I’d expect her to say it about Obama. I’m a bit surprised she’d say it about her “guys.” > > And how does her incompetence at running HP make her assessment of McCain-Palin less valid? Especially since she’s McCain’s top economic advisor? Not sure she knows how to properly run a company, at least not without running it into the ground. It is funny, in a stupid kind of way, that she said this about the guy she’s working for. Just seems like another lapse in judgment by McCain in picking his people. I’d have gone with someone who knows about economics as an economic adviser, not someone who was forced out of their only CEO gig by the board. But that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/9 "2008-09-16T19:46:09Z")
> [@LonghornDave](#): > > I would not agree that it has “bit HP in the butt”. It was certainly controversial, but I think it has worked out in the end. HP is the world’s largest PC seller and their shares are trading near a 5 year high. Please note that this all occurred after she was replaced. I’ve never seen anyone suggest that Compaq was a prudent or necessary acquisition by HP. More like a waste of cash. Compaq’s products added little of value to the HP line. ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/10 "2008-09-16T19:46:25Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Then explain to me why they keep touting this “Executive” experience thing, if it’s not really a skill set that falls under the qualifications for President or Vice President? I would imagine they are talking about the executive branch of the government, not any random executive position at any company. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/11 "2008-09-16T19:48:33Z")
> [@LonghornDave](#): > > I would imagine they are talking about the executive branch of the government, not any random executive position at any company. Really? Then why do they keep disparaging Senator Obama with the claim that "he’s never run **anything** , if what they really mean is that he’s never run “the executive branch of the government”? ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/12 "2008-09-16T19:53:45Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Not sure she knows how to properly run a company, at least not without running it into the ground. It is funny, in a stupid kind of way, that she said this about the guy she’s working for. > > Just seems like another lapse in judgment by McCain in picking his people. I’d have gone with someone who knows about economics as an economic adviser, not someone who was forced out of their only CEO gig by the board. But that’s just me. I think you are being unfair here. She certainly did not run it into the ground. She pushed for a merger which was opposed by the son of the founder. That’s why she was ousted. The company has done very well since the merger. I think, in retrospect, it looks like it has been a success. ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/13 "2008-09-16T20:02:11Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Really? Then why do they keep disparaging Senator Obama with the claim that "he’s never run **anything** , if what they really mean is that he’s never run “the executive branch of the government”? First, I’m not really a defender of the need for executive experience. Having said that, I think management or executive experience might be helpful when applying for a position of executive authority. I definitely don’t think being a politician makes someone remotely qualified to be the CEO of a major corporation. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/14 "2008-09-16T20:02:55Z")
I understand that Dr. Andrew Z. Fire, the Nobel-prize-winning doctor, has indicated that he believes neither Senator Obama nor Senator Biden are qualified to perform RNA interference gene splicing by double-stranded RNA. So that settles that. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/15 "2008-09-16T20:12:02Z")
I’m surprised that a McCain advisor would say that. Wow. Within the last few hours I’ve seen two stories of McCain Campaign staff members saying stupid things. He sure can pick 'em, eh. Heckuva a job, Brownie. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/16 "2008-09-16T20:18:37Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I understand that Dr. Andrew Z. Fire, the Nobel-prize-winning doctor, has indicated that he believes neither Senator Obama nor Senator Biden are qualified to perform RNA interference gene splicing by double-stranded RNA. > > So that settles that. I assume you have a cite for Dr. Fire’s statement? Or were you just being cute? And is being qualified to perform RNA interface gene splicing by double-stranded RNA ever argued as being a relevant qualification for the presidency? As opposed to serving as a chief executive to a multi-billion (or trillion) dollar organization? Executive qualifications have been a long-time arguement for the Republicans in this campaign, from the primaries on. My question is why would a top advisor to the McCampaign say neither of her candidates is qualified to run a multi-billion dollar organization-- twice in one day? Again, to me, that does not bode well, as the U.S. government is a bit more complex than a corporation. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/17 "2008-09-16T20:22:16Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Again, to me, that does not bode well, as the U.S. government is a bit more complex than a corporation. Not to mention being the largest single employer in the world. Seriously, these guys need to get their talking points straight. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/18 "2008-09-16T20:25:11Z")
> [@LonghornDave](#): > > I would not agree that it has “bit HP in the butt”. It was certainly controversial, but I think it has worked out in the end. HP is the world’s largest PC seller and their shares are trading near a 5 year high. And they just announced 24,000 layoffs. And Carly Fiorina was booted from her position because the shareholders thought she screwed up. So having her say something about someone being unqualified to run a company is quite ironic, unintentional as I am sure it was. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![LonghornDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/19 "2008-09-16T20:27:14Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > My question is why would a top advisor to the McCampaign say neither of her candidates is qualified to run a multi-billion dollar organization-- twice in one day? I think it is obvious that she is saying it because she believes it is a truthful statement. What possible experience do they have to run one of the largest computer companies in the world? I don’t see why this is noteworthy. They aren’t running to be CEO of HP. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875/20 "2008-09-16T20:30:29Z")
So let’s get this straight … what’s surprising about this is that she is arrogant enough to say that nobody running for President or VP could do what _she_ does (or did … poorly)? Or is just that she is politically clueless enough to actually say what she thinks? (FWIW, I actually highly doubt that CEO experience qualifies someone as President or visaversa. This is part of silly season.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carly-fiorina-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-arent-qualified-to-run-a-corporation/463875.md?page=2)