Our greatest Presidents have not generally been those with the most experience, but those with the greatest potential. Think about it. Did Lincoln have much governing experience? Did F.D.R.? Did Reagan? They had a little, but not much. Then think of the really experienced ones. Nixon, Ford, Bush 41, Hoover. Lots of governmental experience, but really, what did it gain them (or us)?
It is certainly true that John McCain has had many more years of being around the corridors of Washington, as a U.S. Senator for some 27 years. But how much potential does he have to be a good, or even great, President? I think our answer to that question lies in the fact that the only reason he's close at all now in the polls is because he took as his running mate someone with very little experience but with great potential (at least in the eyes of some fervent supporters).
Barack Obama obviously has limited experience in governing, with a few years at state senator, then U.S. Senator. But that's not what has attracted his supporters, including this one. (Biden has most of the government experience, yet that didn't help him at all to win the Democratic nomination.) Obama's supporters see his great potential. First-rate mind, first-rate temperament, great eloquence, as even his opponents acknowledge. Add to that his character, those attributes of vigor, vision, calmness, strong ethical core, unifier, concern for the little guy, non-ideological pragmatist. Then wrap it all up in an attractive exterior of a post-racial African-American, and you have the makings of true greatness. Individuals like Barack Obama only come along every once in a great while.
That's why experience doesn't really matter this year in this election.
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