As the McCain and Obama campaigns debate the relative experience of their candidates, a question that comes to mind is how much experience matters in selecting a President.
For example, consider this resume:
- Six years in state legislature, representing a small rural district
- Two years in United States House of Representatives, representing a small rural district
- Failed candidate for Vice-President of the United States
- Failed candidate for United States Senate
So, does this person have the experience necessary to be President ?
He better have had it, because he guided the nation through a crisis that quite literally tore it apart.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I hate to quibble (particularly after our argument to nowhere), but Lincoln served eight years in the state legislature, not six.
Also, Lincoln was never really an active candidate for VP in 1856. He was flattered by the support (and it certainly set him thinking on 1858 and 1860), but that from what I’ve read, he had no idea he would be considered for it until he was told he well he did!
The larger point is valid, though.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Sigh.
That should read “how well he did.”