Experience of POTUS or VPOTUS
Based on discussions of executive experience for Presidential candidates the most relevant seems to be that of governor of a state. For example, Presidents Carter, Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush were all former governors. How much foreign policy or national security experience did they each possess before assuming the role as Commander-in-chief? Yet, in the short time that Governor Sarah Palin has been the Vice-Presidential selection of Senator John McCain the most asked question by the pundits and her opposition has been whether she is qualified to be a hearbeat away from the Presidency of the United States.
The second place question has been how can the McCain campaign question Barack Obama’s readiness to lead with his lack of experience after selecting Palin as a running mate? The stark distinction between the questions facing Palin versus those facing Obama on the issue of experience is that Palin may never have to assume the role of President while Barack Obama certainly would if elected. And it follows that Joe Biden being selected as Obama’s VP was more a matter of shoring up an Obama weakness on foreign policy on day one something that would not be necessary in the case of a Vice-President Palin. Whatever a McCain or Obama Administration would put together for a cabinet, chief of staff, advisors, etc., would be used for decision making that would be available to their VP’s should the need arise.
Perhaps both sides should shelve the idea of arguing experience. It appears that McCain is ready to based on his VP selection. It also appears Obama would be willing to since his resume’ is lacking. That leaves the remaining days before the election for gaff avoidance by all concerned and the results of any debates that may take place. Something that Barack Obama seems satisfied to avoid. He may sense an advantage to leaving that to his VP selection versus McCain’s.
From the collection of reports and commentary this political season the thrust from the Obama camp appears to be painting McCain as more of the same while touting their own change mantra, an old if not worn out strategy. From McCain it has largely been the not ready to lead criticism of Obama. In many ways this election cycle is much like any other.
For this blog’s money their is still a substantial contrast between McCain versus Obama. McCain is essentially a known quantity. Obama is anything but. The only major criticism of McCain from this vantage point is amnesty. The criticism of Obama from here includes many things not the least of which is what his campaign wants to ignore. He will not truly deal with his relationship to Bill Ayers publicly. He will not on the issue of Rezko either. He still refuses to acknowledge he was wrong on the troop surge and McCain was right. And he touts change while the little he mentions on specifics is simply Democratic party line. And there are plenty of reports from various sources, not just the GOP, that indicate he has no way to pay for them. And while supporters try to play down the Messiah references or those about being nothing more than a celeb or rock star, even mention of the D convention finale was described with 
oohs and ahhs on the morning talk shows this Sunday. It’s all Hollywood but no one admits it especially the MSM.
This blog still supports the Senator from Arizona and the fresh face from Alaska. There is reason to expect McCain ‘learning my lesson’ on amnesty will guide any moves on the topic in the future even though since then he stated he believes the American people are compassionate enough to let it happen. After last summer, that is doubtful.
Stanford Matthews
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