Experience: Obama v.s. Edwards

[Superman Returns]

Who wins? Keep in mind Obama served 8 years in the Illinois state legislature.

[Clark2008]

1. This will be a good thread

:popcorn:

[zulchzulu]

2. Apples and oranges

I'm not saying who's an apple and who's an orange. :7

Both have about the same level of experience and both have an interesting story. I'd like them to have more experience in government personally, but then again, neither are my first choice. It will be up to the electorate to decide among the full field of candidates and make their decision. Being that the primary season starts about a year from now, who knows where both candidates will be seen:

So far...
January 14, 2008 - Iowa
January 19, 2008 - Nevada
January 22, 2008 - New Hampshire
January 29, 2008 - South Carolina
February 5, 2008 - Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah

I could certainly see backing either one of them if they got the nod to be the nominee and would religiously learn the talking points...

[TayTay]

9. We would have to back them if they got the nomination.

It wouldn't be the first time you had to vote for someone who you didn't fully like or trust. (That has, at one time or another, happened to everyone.) I have cast 'I voted for the Democrat because they sucked less' votes before and probably will do so again.

Plus, there are always down-ticket races. If you don't like the head of the ticket you can always work to elect good Democrats down-ticket to challenge other Dems and keep their feet on the straight and narrow path.

[BluegrassDem]

3. Obama wins in experience, no doubt

Obama is a very global person in his nature. He's lived in Indonesia, so he has the ability to understand and an outsider's view of America, which would make him excellent in diplomacy and foreign policy.

As far as I can tell, Edwards has only spent his life suing people until he landed in the Senate. He's a very smart guy, no doubt, but Obama is more ready to be the leader of the free world.

[venable]

7. 'as far as you can tell'

which is how you characterize your knowledge of edwards' past...try reading his book before you say all he did was sue people. it's vastly more complex and inspiring than that.

He spent his years speaking for those without a voice. He is the opposite of the insinuation you make.

Edwards had, at the time of announcing, twice as much Senate experience as Obama. and he has run in a national campaign, the primaries and the general...this is valuable experience.

they both are excellent candidates.

[skipos]

4. How about Obama vs Edwards vs Lincoln? nt

[mntleo2]

5. Experience: Bush II, what did He have?

I think it takes more than experience. I have known on the jobs I have had, some of the best most energetic, creative people take on jobs they had never had, while some tired old "experienced" person ran things into the ground. Obama has CLASS, he has given to his community and to the poor who desperately needed his expertise instead of making a 5 figure salary, he taught constitutional law at columbia, plus he is poised and articulate. Edwards is also a man of CLASS, his work again for We the People. His one term in the senate I am sure gives him insight into DC politics as well as his knowledge of the law is well honed.

My "dream ticket" is Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama. I believe they would not only set America, but the entire world on fire ~ the good kind of fire, the fire of non-violent change that encompasses ALL, not just the rich.

My 2 cents

Cat In Seattle

[Zensea]

6. the real question is who is more "electable"?

:evilgrin:

[trillian]

8. But, what kind of experience?

Neither candidate has executive experience, which is what the President's role is.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/12/AR2007011201744.html">This article in the WaPo about Maryland's new governor, explains the difference.

snippet:

....The difference is profound. The legislative culture, whether in Washington or Annapolis, focuses on politics and policy, not governance. While the legislative role is important, the conduct of any single legislator on any given day rarely has lasting significance to the daily operations of the government.

In contrast, the day-to-day management of the executive branch has lasting consequence, and that may ultimately shape the real difference between the next four years and the past four in Annapolis....

This country's in a hell of a mess. It can't afford a President who will be learning on the job....especially in the area of national security.