Reply #7: Unless you've been president, every other type of "experience" is merely a predictor [View All]

[beaconess]

of success - and not always an accurate one.

I believe that much more important than categorical "experience" are qualities that a person brings to any job and would bring to the presidency.

George W. Bush has 6 years of on-the-job experience as president - making him the second most experienced person on earth at being president - yet he is absolutely horrible. He could be president for another 20 years and would STILL be terrible. Not because he lacks the requisite experience - he has that in spades - but because he lacks the qualities that a good president should have.

That is why I'm not all that worked up about whether Obama or Edwards or anyone else has the right kind of "experience" to be president. Yes, I think that previous jobs are relevant, but I don't assume that only certain kinds of experience qualify one to be president. I look at not only what they've done in the past, but what they brought to it, what they took from it and what qualities they possess that would make them a successful president.