2008: Executive Experience Required
Without experience as a public executive candidates for the Presidency need not apply. Experience governing is critical to being succesful once in office. It is more critical than legislative experience and philosophy. Those with only legislative experience are unprepared to govern.
A likely candidate with very interesting experience is Bill Richardson (D NM). Some backround: In the news as Democratic Governors Association chair and an article about how he operates.
In addition to Richardson's professional credentials, he would be fun to watch. What makes him an interesting human being however may also be his downfall. In this era we say we want authentic candidates, not cardboard cutouts, and then torch anyone who commits a one sentence gaffe.
I think we ask more (too much?) of politicians than we do of ourselves. We say of ourselves that we are human and bound to make mistakes, but we believe politicians should be sent from Olympus and flawless, and I'm as guilty as any. We should all adopt the Horton philosophy of "I say what I mean, and I mean what I say." But we wouldn't like that either. Humans are such fickle creatures, myself included.
Glenn (aka ges)
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring;—J.R.R. Tolkien
November 18, 2006 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Louisiana continues to be the state with a long history of giving politicians long rope with which to hang themselves. Nationally we need to take note and institutionalized wisdom that allows for (if not encourages) tolerance of personality and lifestyle, while providing ethical oversight.
As over discussed as it has been, the Monica Lewinsky ordeal seems to continue to be an example of the failure of most Americans to make this distinction. Bill Clinton should be given high praise for the gumption to get a blow-job in the oval office. Whether or not this was a violation of trust between Bill and Hillary is absolutely no business of ours. What is of concern to us and, I believe, maybe even a legitimate impeachable offense is having a sexual relationship with a subordinate at work, especially one so young. Most Republicans wanted to make this about sexual morality and not ethics in the workplace. Most Democrats wanted to overlook the issue of ethics in the workplace. Please note that when I say most, I do not mean all. I am also talking about the way that this dialogue played out publicly, which no doubt allowed Fox News to significantly filter reasoned perspective from the discussion. Nonetheless, this remains an example of rightwing morality being substituted for legitimate concerns of ethics.
November 19, 2006 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Richardson gets a foreign policy accomplishment in Sudan:
January 10, 2007 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steve Clemons, Washington Note, raises some serious questions and offers some up close views on Richardson:
Clemons also provides history on Richardson and the Bolton nomination
Steve's commentary doesn't change my view that executive experience is needed in a presidential nominee. As to Richardson there are warts to consider. I am cautious, I don't want a nominee who is so blameless as to be basically Wonder Bread.
January 21, 2007 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink