That's the subtitle of a column today by the Washington Post's David Broder.
It was fascinating to watch the three top contenders for the Democratic nomination discuss their concept of the presidency during Tuesday night's MSNBC debate in Las Vegas. But it was also stunning to realize that the three current and former senators who have survived the shakeout process -- Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards -- have not a day of chief executive experience among them.It would seem the Republicans are looking good then for 2008. However, lets say I'm not sold on that trend continuing. President Bush is very unpopular and I think voters are going to continue the backlash at the GOP that was seen in 2008. That's my prediction, not my preference.By contrast, the Republican field is loaded with people who are accustomed to being in charge of large organizations. Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee were governors of their states of Massachusetts and Arkansas, Rudy Giuliani served as the mayor of New York, and John McCain, as he likes to remind audiences, commanded the largest squadron in the Navy air wing.
In the past, voters have preferred to entrust the White House to those with executive credentials. John Kennedy was the last sitting senator to be elevated to the presidency. Since then, the former governors of Georgia, California, Arkansas and Texas have dominated the list of successful candidates.
If the Democrats feel a need for a candidate with executive experience, there is one Democrat still seeking the nomination who has that quality. Dennis Kucinich, the former mayor of Cleveland. Democrats could vote for him.
Like that's going to happen. Right?
Hat tip- Ed at Captain's Quarters who wonders where Broder has been for most of the last year. Writing columns for the Washington Post of course. I think Broder was just out of fresh ideas and didn't feel the need to write about Michael Bloomberg again or the fanciful idea of a brokered convention.
Permalink | Send To A Friend | Linking Blogs | Digg this!
Filed under:
2008 Presidential Race, Democrats, Edwards, Hillary, Kucinich, Obama
Comments (2)
Even John Kennedy had more ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jim Addison | January 17, 2008 4:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Even John Kennedy had more executive experience than any of the top three remaining Democratic candidates, since he was a naval commander in WWII.
It is said that when any Senator looks in a mirror, he sees a President. Fortunately, the electorate has generally had a clearer view. There's a good reason we often elect Governors and Generals, and only rarely Senators or Representatives: it's because the former have the qualifying administrative experience, while the latter do not.
We do also frequently elect Vice Presidents, which I suppose means we believe in osmosis.
1. Posted by Jim Addison | January 17, 2008 4:53 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 17, 2008 16:53
2. Posted by Andy | January 17, 2008 6:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Success depends on two things, in my opinion:
1. Appeal to independents--both parties have become so good at getting their own vote out
2. Shaping the message--if the Democrats can keep it about Bush and changing from the last 8 years they'll be in good shape, if the Republicans can grab the change theme themselves and make Democrats look out of touch or inexperienced they'll be in good shape
Things aren't nearly as favorable for Dems as they were in 06, but I'd still give them the edge for now.
2. Posted by Andy | January 17, 2008 6:14 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 17, 2008 18:14