Experience

[Jennicut]

First, does experience really matter that much? Bill Clinton did not have a lot in 1992. Okay, he was a governor and helped run a state, but he did not have any foreign policy experience. I still voted for him in 1996 and would have in 1992 but I was too young (17). My point is this experience thing does not mean much to me. Bush had the same amount as Clinton and they governed very differently in foreign policy. Clinton made some mistakes but for the most part had a good group of people around him who were at least moderate in their views. Bush had the crazy neo-conservatives. I think experience can be important but not the deciding factor as to who I or others voted for in the primary/caucues or who I would vote for in the GE. What do the rest of you think? Is Obama too inexperienced? Or does it really matter as Abraham Lincoln and others have shown.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Experience counts in this way

the candidate leaves a track record of their actions and how they go about forming coalitions to get their agenda passed. Of course, you can look to anything the candidate has done in the past to see how they have worked with others. There doesn't have to be a lot of exact experience with, say, foreign policy, for example: one could tell from W's past record that he would surely screw up foreign policy just as badly as he did all his companies--and he would put the financial burden on the people, much as he did the businessfolk of Arlington Texas.

[cornermouse]

2. In order to make an informed decision,

I think you need to find all the information that you can about both candidates (take anything on DU with a grain of salt while in the midst of the primaries), their experiences in politics and their experiences in life, read what they said well before they thought about running for President because it will probably give you a more accurate picture of what they're likely to do in office and after an awful lot of careful thought you should make your own decision because you're the only one who really knows what you expect and want from a future president. Okay? :)

[HereSince1628]

3. Experience counts. I'm backing Chelsea! She'll be a shoe-in

when her chance comes. Just look at the years of political experience she's able to claim!

[margotb822]

4. The only experience is experience

So I think it's a bit of a catch-22 situation. There is no candidate who has the experience of being President. As far as the Senator vs Governor argument, I think each position has merit and drawbacks. We need to look at the person's record and achievements while in their respective office. I think it is about judgement in this election. No candidate has a perfect record, but we need to look into their trends and goals. People say Obama is too young, but he is in the prime of his life. Experience or not, he is driven and very smart. I think he would do well. I also hope that if Clinton were elected, she doesn't pull people from her husband's administration. I don't want her to have that shadow. It bothers me so much when people talk about her as if Bill is going to be the president, so she needs to continue to make it clear that she is running her own show.

[Angela Shelley]

5. Experience is less important than intelligence and character.

How many "first time Mothers" do a great job with their first child?