LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Executive experience not always useful

Mark Mikowski, North Las Vegas

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 | 2:05 a.m.

Much has been made lately — by right-leaning political pundits, as well as letter to the editor writers — of the lack of “executive” experience on the part of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The people who make this argument then claim that Sarah Palin, who has been both a small-town mayor and governor of Alaska, somehow trumps the Democratic candidates in the experience department. One need only look at history to see that the level of “executive” experience has had a mixed record when it comes to whether a president’s administration is successful.

Whether one agreed with his politics, Lyndon B. Johnson was inarguably one of the most effective presidents in this country’s history. Despite the fact that he had experience as only a representative and senator, and therefore in the eyes of those who sing the song of “executive” experience was totally unqualified to be president, Johnson was somehow able to pass legislation such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Civil Rights Act and many other important pieces of legislation.

LBJ accomplished what he did because no one knew the arcane rules of Congress better than he did. Johnson was also able to reach across the aisle, sometimes literally, as when he had to “buttonhole” a legislator of the opposition party to get his point across.

In complete contrast, we have had the administration of George W. Bush, who we were told had the requisite “executive” experience when he ran for president in 2000. His supporters pointed out his time spent as a corporate chief executive as well as governor of Texas.

How has that “executive” experience worked out for the past eight years?

Discussion: 10 comments so far…

By neiman1

9/21/08 at 8:24 a.m.

Suggest removal

It doesn't take an executive to know how to fix American. The democrats are tired of the republicans taking patriotism as their issue so he now says paying higher taxes is patriotic. We need this kind of in touch experience in Washington. I will take Sarah's idea of refunding the money to the taxpayers all day long.
By jfnance32

9/21/08 at 9:42 a.m.

Suggest removal

What experience does Obama exactly have?

Here is some experience:

Supposedly, Obama is the chief co-sponsor of the Illinois Ethics Reform Bill that passed.

It is strange that you rarely if ever hear Obama brag about it.

Here is why.

Obama was not the author of the bill.

He did not work on the bill in any committee for the five months that it worked its way through the process.

He was not even listed as a co-sponsor of the Illinois Ethics Reform Bill until after the second reading of the bill which was on the day it passed.

Obama's mentor, Emil Jones, was president of the Illinois senate and Gov. Rod Blagojevich's enforcer (both Democrats). Jones made Obama the chief co-sponsor the bill after the 2nd reading on the day that the bill passed.

That "ethics" bill allowed Obama's mentor Emil Jones to convert over $500,000 in campaign funds for personal use when Jones retired the very next year.

I think it is an excellent example of Obama's accomplishments as a state senator.

No wonder we never hear Obama parading this accomplishment.

Even on his campaign site where he talks about his state senator time, there is no mention of this bill and I see why.
By thebs

9/21/08 at 10:58 a.m.

Suggest removal

George W. Bush had executive experience.

Abe Lincoln did not.

Where is McCain's executive experience? A year managing airplane mechanics where all of their in-flight measurables decreased.

As McCain surrogate Carly Fiorina said that none of the current candidates could run a business. It's time to stop requiring "executive" experience for POTUS.
By Zebe

9/21/08 at 12:13 p.m.

Suggest removal

Any one that knows factual information and history knows your comments are well founded. For those that don't, pity they remain as gullable as they were in 200O and 2004.
By neiman1

9/21/08 at 2:48 p.m.

Suggest removal

Let's raise taxes on the companies both houses of Congress are trying to bail out. One act of government undoing what the other is doing. Now that's more of the same. Get a clue, raise taxes and your jobs disappear. What gives more security to the middle class than jobs and reduced energy costs.
By cmon

9/21/08 at 7:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

Once again, Nance HIDES from my two simple Questions, behind a series of lies and half=truths. Mr. JFNance: Show me your source. Show us ANY source that has a shred of credibility. Please do this or crawl under your Coward's ROCK.
By jfnance32

9/21/08 at 7:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

You are the coward......you will not answer my questions and you never show your sources.
By cmon

9/21/08 at 9:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

The last time I asked you two simple questions, they were sourced.

Here is the link to the letter, which has my two SOURCED questions. therefore, once again, I have successfully proven you to be a LIAR AND A COWARD!!!

Your feeble attempts are getting more and more desperate, which proves you have no idea what you are doing. please TRY, just once to provide a credible source to any of your questions..Please? just one Pretty please??

remember this?

Are you a coward, Nance
Answer the two questions, Nance
Cite your source, Nance
Cmon, Nance
Cmon, Nance
Show some stones, Nance...
By cmon

9/21/08 at 9:33 p.m.

Suggest removal

The last time I asked you two simple questions, they were sourced.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/r/72/639916/

Here is the link to the letter, which has my two SOURCED questions. therefore, once again, I have successfully proven you to be a LIAR AND A COWARD!!!

Your feeble attempts are getting more and more desperate, which proves you have no idea what you are doing. please TRY, just once to provide a credible source to any of your questions..Please? just one Pretty please??

remember this?

Are you a coward, Nance
Answer the two questions, Nance
Cite your source, Nance
Cmon, Nance
Cmon, Nance
Show some stones, Nance...
By jfnance32

9/21/08 at 10:55 p.m.

Suggest removal

Are you a coward, cmon
Answer the questions, cmon
Cmon, cmon
Cmon, cmon
Show some stones, cmon...