Democratic Party Candidates: Experience Not Required
April 30th, 2008 at 07:15pm Matt Margolis
Of all the original Democratic candidates for the presidency, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama had the least amount of experience. Obama has the least experience of any, hands down, yet he’s the frontrunner for the nomination… because of his “charisma.” The Democratic Party’s superficiality isn’t limited to presidential candidates though. In the race to fill the retiring Republican Tom Reynolds’ congressional seat, local Democratic leaders have endorsed a young political novice, apparently because of his charisma and the fact he is an Iraq war veteran.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Congress
38 Comments
1. js | April 30th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
is that “charisma” or “con”?
2. OperationChaos | April 30th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Her Thighness is on O’Reilly tonite, and I hear the kook blogs aren’t happy.
Kinda makes me hope she gets the nomination…
3. Gozer the Carpathian | April 30th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I don’t know. I think at times we could use new faces in politics. On the other hand some positions are not great places to get your on the job training.
4. OperationChaos | April 30th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Too right, Gozer–we could use new faces. However, we don’t need new socialist, leftist faces…
5. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Aside from the huge comedy potential inherent in Republicans talking about experience (do the names Michael Brown and Monica Goodling ring a bell with anyone?) it’s especially humorous to have Matt sneering about the “superficiality” of someone whose only qualifications are being a U.S. Army Captain in the combat arms in Iraq, being a social studies teacher and:
Obviously, there’s no reason to think that this man could possibly know anything or have any leadership potential in representing the people of New York’s 26th Congressional District. I mean, come on! He’s probably never even worked with Arabian show horses! What a loser.
6. Chris | April 30th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
so, starting a nonprofit makes you qualified to be a legislator?
if only I knew it was so easy to spruce up my resume!
7. Rana Quijotesca | April 30th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I’d rather someone be relatively inexperienced than be experienced in making the wrong decisions… as most Republicans tend to be… Experience is great, but if all you do is screw things up, then what does it matter?
8. ftc | April 30th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Here is a great link…on Faux no less, about the dreggs that want to be elected runing as a Republican. Birds of a feather and all that.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353536,00.html
9. Rich | April 30th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Rana- wold you go to a heart surgeon with only a few years experience to have open-heart surgery?
10. Chris | April 30th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Republicans make far better decisions than Democrats. When Republicans ignore conservative principles that’s when they make bad decisions.
the problem with Democrats is that they start of with making bad decisions and only get worse.
11. Chris | April 30th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
ftc,
that one candidate sounds more like s white Jeremiah Wright.
So, maybe he’s just being taken out of context, as you liberals would say.
12. Iraq » Democratic P&hellip | April 30th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
[…] Politics Blog - The San Francisco Bay Guardian wrote an interesting post today on Democratic Party Candidates: Experience Not RequiredHere’s a quick excerpt…local Democratic leaders have endorsed a young political novice, apparently because of his charisma and the fact he is an Iraq war veteran. […]
13. jerry | April 30th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
This young man seems like the type of candidate the NRCC would be dying to recruit to run. This guy is a veteran, who lead men and women in combat. This guy is a teacher, a molder of young minds. This guy gives back to his own community and to a community we destroyed, Iraq. Matt bags on him because he isn’t an experienced pol. How laughable. Also, Rich, heart surgery and crafting legislation are not even remotely comparable.
Go Cubs.
14. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Rich,
“Open heart surgery” and being one of 435 members of the House of Representatives? Apparently, the framers were a little lax in what they put into the Constitution as qualifications for the office. So, was Tom “Bug Man” DeLay wielding his pesticide sprayer just like Dr. Michael DeBakey? What loopy comparison do you have for Senators? Demigods? Of course, Bill Frist, MD, was able to make a medical diagnosis based on watching a videotape.
It’s too bad Republicans here hate the troops so much that an Army Captain isn’t good enough to be a representative of the people. Of course, Iraq has consistently ranked as the first or second most important issue for voters for some time now. Funny, almost all of the Iraq veterans running for Congress are Democrats. Gee, I wonder why that would be.
15. js | April 30th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
we really need a president that will be capable of dealing with a huge war…
isreali intel states that within 1 year, Iran could go nuclear…and its stated ambition is to “wipe israel off the map”…israel will not wait…they will strike first to defend the inevitable from happening…and when they do…it will probably be a nuclear strike…on both tehran and damascus facilities…as both syria and iran have a mutual defense pact….and syria has massed troops on the israeli frontier…
obama would lose every US Soldier in Iraq in this conflict…he is not, and can not…lead this nation into the future….the man is a fool paying lip service to the lies of the DNC…and really needs to be exposed for what he truely is….and he runs…..even from the DNC….clinton…in unmoderated debates that he would certainly be exposed the trite fool that he is…even clinton would be far, far better to lead this nation than obama….and clinton is 1/10 of the leader McCain is….
16. Matt Margolis | April 30th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Diana Powe,
Republicans respect and honor the military. The Democratic Party is using liberal veterans as pawns to increase their own power. Democrats have a history of despising the military and you know it.
17. js | April 30th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
john crow by jimmy cliff
The eagle find him place in darkness
Fisherman find him place by the sea
Light up with that in Kingston town
Mi bredren know you a come home without me
Ev’ry road have a bend, ev’ry wicked have an end
What your hands commit I know your body mus’ feel
In this wicked, wicked war your time has come
You don’t live right you will have no more fun
Jancro a go nyam your supper soon, boy
Jancro a go lead the children astray
Jancro a go meet the retribution
Justice has finally find it’s way
Still, oh yes, you know that your time has come
You don’t do right you gonna dead tonight
So now a go take you down the road to doom
The jancro a go nyam all your supper soon
Jancro a go nyam your supper soon, boy
Jancro a go lead the children astray
Jancro a go meet the retribution
Justice has finally find a way
Are you worried, says the wolf in sheep’s clothing
Try to lead the children astray
But don’t we know (?) a who fe frighten
take my hands I will show you the way
Jancro……Jancro
18. Chris | April 30th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Democrats run iraq war veterans because it makes them untouchable “how dare you question our candidate, he’s a veteran!!!!” John Kerry exploited his service in Vietnam when he was only there for like what? 3 months? If Republicans ran an Iraq war veteran with no executive leadership experience, they’d find something sinister about it. A black republican can’t run for office without Democrats accusing them of running the candidate for some race-based reason.
19. ViralNexus | April 30th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Matt- are you really saying that these veterans aren’t running as democrats because that is what they want to do? You mean to say that they are being used and manipulated by the DNC for their sick and twisted agenda? Wow, that is some crazy conspiracy. Care to back that up with proof? It really does say a lot when the ONLY anti-war Republican had by far the most donations from active military personnel even though you guys don’t like to give it much clout. Instead of conspiracies it might be a little more honest to say that veterans run as Democrats because they wouldn’t dare run for the party that are keeping them into the middle of this catastrophe. Also I believe it is the GOP that often uses the face of the soldier to support their agenda so please, stop it with the nonsense.
20. felix the cat | April 30th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Matt:
Why are you so presumptious as to state what Diana knows? Are you in her head? Stealing her thoughts? Or merely spying on them via the “patriot act”? As far as your ludicrious statement about Democrats despising the military, do I need to draw your attention to the untold comparisons made on this blog between WWII and Iraq? Who led this nation during WWII? A democrat. Who led this nation out of the Cuban missle crisis? A democrat. Who interjected the USA in Kosovo? A democrat. But being a democrat has little to do with being a reasonable and humanitarian person. There just seems to be more of a philosophical connection there and I wonder why? You and the rest of the (now) 21%’ers will support the policies of an authoritarian-rule of law be dammed-failed president and his equally failed minons till the cows come home. And the rest of the animal world as well. Do you actually think that that your feeble opinions have any influence on public sentiment? Does your delusional capacity have any bounds? Or are you just functionaly insane?
Why do you continue to insist in this neanderthal mind set that all Dems bad…ug! All Repubs good…ug!
What about those in between who think!
Give it up Sparky. Since you now live in Buffalo write about wings or lake effect snow or speidies from Binghamton.
21. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Matt,
Uh, no. Republicans love to talk about and browbeat Democrats about supporting the troops, but actions speak far more louder than words. That’s why we had troops in Iraq without adequate body armor. That’s why we had troops in Iraq without up-armored HMMWVs. That’s why we got the Walter Reed scandal. That’s why we got the lies from the Administration about the number of suicides among veterans. That’s why we had Republicans fighting to make sure troop deployments to Iraq aren’t limited. That’s why we had the DoD trying to get soldiers who had been forced out of the military due to being disabled in combat to return parts of their enlistment bonuses. That’s why we have your nominee not wanting to co-sponsor a bill to update the GI Bill of Rights right now.
But, you hate the troops so much that if they run as Democrats you want to belittle them and claim they’re “pawns”. Yes, there’s nothing like putting your body into combat to make you weak-willed and spineless. You ought to be embarrassed expressing such venom towards people who’ve laid their lives on the line, but I know you won’t. How many days in combat do George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney have? Does that number come to mind at all?
22. Matt Margolis | April 30th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
that’s why Democrats have tried to cut the troops funding while they’re fighting a war.
Go ahead and accuse me of hating the troops again.. Go ahead, I dare you.
23. Diana Powe | April 30th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Don’t have any answers for Republican sins against our troops, of course.
Okay, Matt. What do you call it when you accuse adult human beings who volunteered to go into combat in the service of their country “pawns” based solely on your being offended that they had the gall to not be Republicans? I dare you to call up Tammy Duckworth (her office phone number is 217-785-4114) and call her a pawn. While you’re at it, why don’t you ask her where her legs are.
24. Casper | April 30th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
“Republicans respect and honor the military. The Democratic Party is using liberal veterans as pawns to increase their own power. Democrats have a history of despising the military and you know it.”
Matt,
I don’t think you would want to say that to my oldest daughter (a democrat) who served a tour in Kosovo and two tours in Iraq while you were supporting a war you weren’t willing to serve in. She would kick your butt.
25. js | April 30th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
isnt that cute…liberal allagator tears…lol
a halfwitted tear to boot….
26. js | April 30th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
reminds me of another “famous” democrat…came back from war after 3 months and 3 purple hearts he really didnt deserve…and accused all the soldiers in “nam of atrocious acts against innocent vietnamese civilians and war crimes…
we know whats in your head…you think you can hide from the truth…only from yourself….while we laught at you….
27. Chris | April 30th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I have friends who served in the military under Bush 41 and Clinton… They said the difference was like night and day… Things were a lot better under Bush 41… when Clinton became their commander in chief his disgust for the military showed and really demoralized everyone. and the poor condition Clinton left the military in is a whole other story.
28. Rich | April 30th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
“Open heart surgery” and being one of 435 members of the House of Representatives? Apparently, the framers were a little lax in what they put into the Constitution as qualifications for the office. So, was Tom “Bug Man” DeLay wielding his pesticide sprayer just like Dr. Michael DeBakey? What loopy comparison do you have for Senators?
Nice strawman DP
Where in my post was I talking about the army army Captain? Please show me. It seems you were jumping to conclusions. The main point of this thread is about the inexperience of Obama and Clinton.
I am referring to the Presidency of the United States, the most important job in the world. If you were having heart surgery, that would be the most important job in the world to you. I believe you would go with experience, not flair. The same would be the same for the President. nice tangent about Tom Delay though, a person not in Congress and somone I have never voted for. Bravo.
By the way, how many of your “fighting” Dems have won primaries? As far as fighters go, what branch of the military was Barak or Hillary in? I thought military experience was so crucial for a CIC to have. At least thats what you losers said when Kerry was running. Doesn’t seem to matter to you now.
As far as DP’s propaganda crap about the troops, I’m not gonna waste my time in this thread debunking point by point, I have better things to do and it will be pointless anyways. She will just ignore the info or change the subject. Kinda like she did in this thread which was about Barak and Hillary”s lack of experience.
29. OperationChaos | May 1st, 2008 at 5:58 am
…the problem with Democrats is that they start of with making bad decisions and only get worse.
But Chris, results don’t matter to the Donkaroaches; it’s good intentions that count. War on poverty, anyone?
Casspurr, enough about your daughter. She got her education bennies. She served in wars.
She’s a hero. ‘kay?
30. Danish Artist | May 1st, 2008 at 6:33 am
I love liberals how they regurgitate the armor, Walter Reed scandal and up-grading armor.
On the armor, it was considered and was sufficient for the first Gulf War. Only until exposed to the new weaponry that we had was it known as insufficient - but when you need made up scandal. IF the upgrades and armor were so important, why did liberals play games with the funding with attachements and riders on the bills with crap that was unrelated (reverse tax cuts) or unrealistic (time tables) to the Iraq war?
The Walter Reed scandal was not a result of the actions of Republicans. The commander of the hospital is the one responsible. The type of mold that was growing there is a very slow growing mold. It took a number of years for it to expose itself outside the ventilation system. Years, back to the previous administration.
Again, who cut the military in the 90s to insufficient levels and were then expected to fight a war in Bosnia with no new funding? Who treated them as a food service rather than defense? Who hung them out to dry in Somalia?
Democrats, consistently making bad decisions and never admit to any type of mistake.
31. Buffalo Pundit » Bl&hellip | May 1st, 2008 at 6:36 am
[…] Why is it that Jon Powers takes hits for being a “political novice” but Christopher J. Lee is lauded for not being a “career politician”. Can’t have it both ways, kids. […]
32. Seaside | May 1st, 2008 at 7:51 am
Who in the world has quote “the experience to be president.” Did Lincoln have private training in preparation for the Civil War? What Lincoln had was keen insight and intelligence. That is what I want my President; to be intelligent, keen insight and have an understanding of the day to day lives of average Americans. The Repugs in their sole quest for a failed conservative agenda consistently leave such candidates on the primary floor.
33. Inside34 | May 1st, 2008 at 7:58 am
30. Danish Artist | May 1st, 2008 at 6:33 am
I love liberals how they regurgitate the armor, Walter Reed scandal and up-grading armor.
Well said DA!
“As you know, you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want,” Rumsfeld said.
Not postive but almost certain DA is a neocon Chickenhawk.
34. Christian Wright | May 1st, 2008 at 8:03 am
This, as opposed to Bush, whose only experience was running businesses his daddy gave him into the ground.
Bush never even left the United States before being appointed president by SCOTUS. I was better traveled than he was.
35. Diana Powe | May 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Matt,
Whether you allow this past the “awaiting moderation” that has quarantined my last two comments is your decision. However, if you do, I am writing this so that anyone visiting your site may read it. Earlier in this thread I wrote that Republicans in general and you specifically “hate the troops”. In retrospect, I accept that I was wrong to write that.
Even without withdrawing my citing of specific instances of actions, it is clearly out of bounds to suggest that such instances were motivated by animus towards those who serve in uniform. In your case, I did exactly what I have criticized others of doing to me in the past which is claiming knowledge of my feelings about some subject despite my not having written about it. My complaining of that when it is directed at me is legitimate and it was illegitimate of me to do it to you.
Even without the ability to read your mind, I can say with confidence that you have all the appropriate feelings of pride and goodwill towards members of our Armed Forces as do Republicans in general. To suggest otherwise was clearly wrong and the sin of the lack of charity. I apologize to you and to anyone else who felt that was directed to them.
36. Magnum Serpentine | May 1st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Of all the people who thought of running or who ran for President this year, every single one of them were far far far more qualified than george.
remember george is the worst president in history.
infact, 95% of the Citizens of this nation are more qualified to be President than george.
37. Danish Artist | May 1st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
IQ34,
Thanks for proving my point. What’s a neocon?
CW,
You are hopeless morons. Why don’t you get your private school educated daughter to explain this subject to you.
MS,
Nothing needs to be said to you that hasn’t already. Keep comparing apples and oranges and repeating crap that won’t be true no matter how many times you say it.
If you libs keep beating your heads against the wall, maybe, just maybe you might feel it. Then again, when you are numb from the neck up……………
38. phnx | May 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Felix,
You should be totally honest about history:
Who led us into WWI…a democrat 116,516 dead
Who led us into WWII…a democrat 405,399 dead
Who led us into the Korean War… a democrat 36,516 dead
Who led us into the Vietnam War…a democrat 58,151 dead
Who led us into the Gulf War…a republican 299 dead
Who led us into The Afganistan War…a republican 496 dead
Who led us into the Iraq War a republican 4,065 dead
Do the math.