Submitted by Jeff (not verified) on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 07:22.
Having a candidate who is charismatic who people can rally around is not exactly what makes for a great president. It does make for a great candidate who may well get elected for that very reason.
I think the point that Romney makes does have some validity -- Obama really does have less experience than McCain. Obama admits as much by saying that good judgement is what people want over experience. Here's the big question though: How does one get good judgement? And I believe the answer is through experience.
I'm a surgeon, and I know my medical judgement was not worth much as an intern. My superiors didn't even expect that interns would have good judgement. That's why they gave us huge lists of tasks to do every day developing wound care skills, etc. As I went through the next six years I was called on to make more and more judgements because I had so much experience working with my senior residents and attendings. I admit that I made mistakes in judgement along the way like everyone else does in the development of their trade or profession, but that's how good judgement is attained.
Also, I agree that his community activism does count for something, but that's the kind of credential one would use to get elected in local or state politics. I think we have to admit that he hasn't been a standout in independently authoring any legislation during his tenure in the Senate. I don't think most junior senators do. They need more experience.
Rally Around??
Having a candidate who is charismatic who people can rally around is not exactly what makes for a great president. It does make for a great candidate who may well get elected for that very reason.
I think the point that Romney makes does have some validity -- Obama really does have less experience than McCain. Obama admits as much by saying that good judgement is what people want over experience. Here's the big question though: How does one get good judgement? And I believe the answer is through experience.
I'm a surgeon, and I know my medical judgement was not worth much as an intern. My superiors didn't even expect that interns would have good judgement. That's why they gave us huge lists of tasks to do every day developing wound care skills, etc. As I went through the next six years I was called on to make more and more judgements because I had so much experience working with my senior residents and attendings. I admit that I made mistakes in judgement along the way like everyone else does in the development of their trade or profession, but that's how good judgement is attained.
Also, I agree that his community activism does count for something, but that's the kind of credential one would use to get elected in local or state politics. I think we have to admit that he hasn't been a standout in independently authoring any legislation during his tenure in the Senate. I don't think most junior senators do. They need more experience.
Respectfully,
Jeff