Richard Nixon and George H. W. Bush; Two of the Most Experienced Presidents of the 20th Century

[tritsofme]

Richard Nixon was in the House and Senate from 1946-1952. Vice President of the United States from 1953-1961.

George H.W. Bush was a war hero, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

He was a congressman, UN ambassador, chairman of the RNC, and CIA director. Vice President from 1981-1989.

Strictly from the perspective of reading a resume, it would seem that both of these men were eminently qualified and experienced enough to hold the office of President of the United States.

But we know how both turned out.

It was just a thought I had in trying to quell my own concerns that Mr. Obama lacks the proper experience to serve as President. Maybe there is such a thing as too much experience?

[rpgamerd00d]

1. It just means experience is only one factor to consider among many others.

[JackRiddler]

2. In fact...

Experience at consistently doing the wrong thing should be a negative.

Tony Soprano - one of the most experienced mobsters in the 21st C. Grew up learning the way from his own family, went through many positions before achieving capo di capi.

[rock]

3. Experience is often confused with exposure

If you don't learn anything from it, it's just exposure.

[tritsofme]

4. I think those two men learned plenty.

Competence wasn't the issue, rather it was criminality.