Street Speculator

We have a couple of months before selecting the next President of the United States. I was watching the Sunday talk show circuit this morning and the topic about Senator Obama’s candidacy, more specifically his experience, or lack thereof, if still on the radar screen.

The U.S. constitution requires that a presidential candidate be a natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a 14 year resident of the U.S. (No Experience Required). This is what puzzles me about the Obama talk, especially that coming from the political DINOSAUR camp, I mean Senator McCain.

If you look at some of the past U.S. presidents, the experience they had prior to entering the oval office borders on the incredible.

PAST U.S. PRESIDENTS & Presidential Hopefuls

(Pre-presidential credentials)

1. Bill Clinton- Former Governor and Attorney General of the State of    Arkansas (What is in Arkansas other than Wal-Mart and the U. of Arkansas?)

2. Abraham Lincoln- Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for only 2 years prior to becoming president. (2 years and known as the greatest president in history)

3. George W. Bush- son of a former president, Governor of Texas for 5 years.

4. Ronald Reagan- actor, Governor of California

5. Hillary Clinton- married to a former president, U.S. Senator for 7.5 years.

6. John McCain- former Vietnam veteran, member of the U.S. Senate since 1987, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983-1987 (Presidential Candidate)

We excluded Senator Obama because he is the one receiving the most criticism from a perceived lack of experience, as if he needs it .

You want our take:

1st, being married to a president does not qualify you to become president. 2nd, being a child of a president does not qualify you to become president. 3rd, being a member of Congress does not qualify you to become president. None of the last 3 two-term presidents were members of Congress prior to becoming elected. The only president, in my time, that served in some capacity in the federal government got his behind handed to him when running for re-election (George H.W. Bush). 4th, hire smart people around you to make you look good (Ex. Colin Powell, Robert Rubin, Condoleeza Rice, Ted Olson, Dick Cheyney, Paul O’Neill). President Carter did not engage in the 4th principle. People say that former President Carter is doing much better out of office than in.

When we vote, we all roll the dice. Do not be fooled into believing that age and wisdom somehow go hand in hand. It doesn’t. Think about the day after the election. If you have money, you have access and matter. If not, then wait until the next election cycle before you have a voice (Unless you join forces with Michael Moore).