Presidential Experience

James Joyce talks about the expereince os the leading presidential candidates, discussing this post by Steve Benen that tallies elective office experience to the top seven contenders. Benen wrote:

Political observers can debate Obama’s readiness, but the notion that he would “set a new precedent in experience” is kind of silly. For one thing, he fares quite well when compared to his 2008 rivals. By the time of next year’s presidential election, here’s the tale of the tape for years in elected office:

* Obama: 11 years (7 state Senate, 4 U.S. Senate)
* Clinton: 8 years (8 U.S. Senate)
* Edwards: 6 years (6 U.S. Senate)
* Giuliani: 8 years (two, four-year mayoral terms)
* Romney: 4 years (one four-year gubernatorial term)
* McCain: 26 years (4 U.S. House, 22 U.S. Senate)
* Thompson: 8 years (8 U.S. Senate)

If we limit the standards to federal office, Giuliani and Romney drop to zero, compared to Obama’s four. Indeed, Giuliani really would “set a new precedent in experience,” given that no one has ever gone from Mayor to President without some kind of political experience in between.

Like Joyce, I too think this a silly way to count experience. Of the seven people on the list, only two have elected executive experience (Giuliani and Romney). One could argue, as Joyce does, that Hillary Clinton's time as first lady gives her some level of "executive" expereince, but as I have argued before, it is much different being an advisor (no matter how formal or informal) and actually being the person who has to make the decision.

Not since 1960 has the United States voters selected anyone directly from the House or Senate to the White House. Let's look at that list of Presidents since 1960 and their last political expereince prior to becoming President.

Lyndon Johnson (elected VP from Senate, moved to President on JFK's death)
Richard Nixon (elected Vice President with Dwight Eisenhower)
Gerald Ford (appointed Vice President after Spiro Agnew resigned)
Jimmy Carter (governor of Georgia)
Ronald Reagan (governor of California)
George H.W. Bush (Vice President under Reagan)
Bill Clinton (governor of Arkansas)
George W. Bush (governor of Texas)

Note the pattern? Now, of course, the voters had the choice and this time around the choices with exective experience are thin at best. But I think that Americans still understand the power of executive experience and its importance.