I appreciate the full account of McCain's military service record; just this evening I was having a similar conversation with a woman while I was canvassing in her neighborhood. We came to a similar conclusion as Sen. Obama, that on the question of executive experience he and McCain are on the same footing.
Had Sen. McCain reached an echelon like his father or grandfather, I might grant that his military experience qualifies as executive experience. But I don't understand how the experiences you outline so qualify. Serving your country is admirable, but not executive. Being a liaison to the Senate is respectable, but not executive. Being shot down while fighting on behalf of one's country, withstanding 5.5 years of torture: courageous; not executive. Commanding a training camp for recruits? How is that distinct from coaching a sports team? (I'm not claiming that Obama ever did this, but you can see the parallel).
There are a lot of things about John McCain's record of service that we should take into account, both in his favor and against it. But it strikes me as a farce--and something of a desperate one at that--to say that his military record, as you outline it, is tantamount to executive experience.
Obama was the president of the Harvard Law Review. In his own words, his work as a community organizer, a senator, and a presidential campaign all have elements of bringing people together (i.e. assembling a team, an executive decision like filling a cabinet, making appointments, etc).
I am NOT saying that being president of the HLR, or these other roles as the head (executive) of various political endeavors are the kind of experience we mean when we say "executive experience." But you must also grant that McCain lacks the same!
When we say "executive experience," aren't we talking about signing or vetoing bills? About setting a budget and getting it passed? About setting priorities for a firm of some sort? About hiring and firing and giving vision to the organization? I'm pretty sure that is what we mean, and I'm unconvinced that McCain has any better a claim on this matter than Obama.
There are a lot of good reasons Americans should be thinking hard about this election. I don't think the question of executive experience, given the two men we have a viable chance between, is one of them.
I was going to comment, but kyle pretty much said everything I would have. I don't understand how the experience you cite is in any way "executive experience." That's why Obama doesn't bother talking about it. It's irrelevant to McCain's qualifications for president. Besides, I think America is well aware of McCain's service, and lord knows his campaign never misses an opportunity to bring it up.
I wonder why the BOTS didn't bring up Obama's Executive experience as Chairman of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge for 5 years. Bill Ayers the TERRORIST gave Obama that job, he was quite proud of it when he was running for the Congress, even bragging about it in a interview, but now he won't mention his very close association with the TERRORIST Ayers. McCain was a Officer and ran a large operation in Pensacola, that is Executive experience.
A college graduate with a BA in History and a minor in politics from Coastal Carolina University. Has a student at Coastal Carolina I Chaired the College Republicans for two years. I volunteered for Mike Huckabee's Presidential campaign in 2008.
I worked as an intern for the South Carolina Republican Party in 2009.
Full disclosure: I'm an Obama supporter.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the full account of McCain's military service record; just this evening I was having a similar conversation with a woman while I was canvassing in her neighborhood. We came to a similar conclusion as Sen. Obama, that on the question of executive experience he and McCain are on the same footing.
Had Sen. McCain reached an echelon like his father or grandfather, I might grant that his military experience qualifies as executive experience. But I don't understand how the experiences you outline so qualify. Serving your country is admirable, but not executive. Being a liaison to the Senate is respectable, but not executive. Being shot down while fighting on behalf of one's country, withstanding 5.5 years of torture: courageous; not executive. Commanding a training camp for recruits? How is that distinct from coaching a sports team? (I'm not claiming that Obama ever did this, but you can see the parallel).
There are a lot of things about John McCain's record of service that we should take into account, both in his favor and against it. But it strikes me as a farce--and something of a desperate one at that--to say that his military record, as you outline it, is tantamount to executive experience.
Obama was the president of the Harvard Law Review. In his own words, his work as a community organizer, a senator, and a presidential campaign all have elements of bringing people together (i.e. assembling a team, an executive decision like filling a cabinet, making appointments, etc).
I am NOT saying that being president of the HLR, or these other roles as the head (executive) of various political endeavors are the kind of experience we mean when we say "executive experience." But you must also grant that McCain lacks the same!
When we say "executive experience," aren't we talking about signing or vetoing bills? About setting a budget and getting it passed? About setting priorities for a firm of some sort? About hiring and firing and giving vision to the organization? I'm pretty sure that is what we mean, and I'm unconvinced that McCain has any better a claim on this matter than Obama.
There are a lot of good reasons Americans should be thinking hard about this election. I don't think the question of executive experience, given the two men we have a viable chance between, is one of them.
I was going to comment, but kyle pretty much said everything I would have. I don't understand how the experience you cite is in any way "executive experience." That's why Obama doesn't bother talking about it. It's irrelevant to McCain's qualifications for president. Besides, I think America is well aware of McCain's service, and lord knows his campaign never misses an opportunity to bring it up.
ReplyDeleteI think I answered both of your concerns with my update. However I doubt you'll admit your mistake.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why the BOTS didn't bring up Obama's Executive experience as Chairman of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge for 5 years. Bill Ayers the TERRORIST gave Obama that job, he was quite proud of it when he was running for the Congress, even bragging about it in a interview, but now he won't mention his very close association with the TERRORIST Ayers. McCain was a Officer and ran a large operation in Pensacola, that is Executive experience.
ReplyDelete