I Favor Judgment Over Experience
Commenter “loveourcountry” posted the text of Obama’s anti-Iraq war speech in 2002 in repsonse to another discussion about Campaign Finance, and it was the first time I had read it. It was courageous for Obama to take such a stand in a climate of revenge and deference to the President. And he was right.
The President was a two term governor of Texas, his father a President and former director of the CIA, his VP a former Secretary of Defense and Chief of Staff to President Ford, his Secretary of Defense one of the most experienced to have that job. And the Administration got it wrong. They misunderstood the facts and the context. It can be argued that this uncommonly experienced administration got it consistently wrong on Foreign affairs, energy, environment, trade, economic and fiscal management, health care, education… on just about everything except how to divert public funds to their friends in Oil, big Pharma, and the Military-Industrial complex.
Familiarity with a situation is very handy, and it can be the critical factor when all other factors are equal. But it is not the only, or the best, indicator of future success. Senators Clinton and McCain would both provide leadership that I could be content with. But from almost everything Obama has said, and the way he has conducted himself, his is the intellect I would prefer making the hard calls for the future of my government.
I agree with Obama’s refrain that it is as important to be “right” on day one as it is to be “ready.”
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22 Responses to “I Favor Judgment Over Experience”
Total agreement. The Bush cabinet is a wonderful example of great resumes that amount to nothing when the chips are down. You didn't even bring up Colin Powell, the guy who actually talked Bush Sr. out of removing Saddam the first time around because of the strife it was likely to cause in the region. Even HE got it wrong.
Yes. Experience isn't everything. John McCain is in his 70s. He has his own background. But he's been spending the last year doing his best to convince a significant segment of the population that he will do things no differently than the current administration. Why should we vote for what appears to be more of the same?
Paul has it right. As they say at the bottom of the screen on all the commercials for financial institutions, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
<blockqoute>The President was a two term governor of Texas, his father a President and former director of the CIA, his VP a former Secretary of Defense and Chief of Staff to President Ford, his Secretary of Defense one of the most experienced to have that job. And the Administration got it wrong.
No, they all got it exactly as they were told to. You may see it as wrong now, but it's obvious to anyone paying attention that they still see it as right.
Sorry about the blocking screwup there.
As far as I'm concerned, Sen. Obama hasn't shown any sign of good judgment.
Davebo,
You make a compelling point – We want leaders who learn from their mistakes and are mature enough to take responsibility.
One of my attractions to Obama is watching how he adapts and learns to create one of the most effective political movements, essentially from scratch.
This is the essence of pragmatism to me, as opposed to the rigidness of ideology.
Would you like to give an example, Holly? I assume, from inference, that you believe his 2002 speech on Iraq is in error, or do you think he got it right but more by chance than judgment?
Holly,
Can you give Obama any credit for calling the Iraq war right from the beginning?
Or taking the lead on Ethics reform? Or his effectiveness at growing the ranks of progressives who will help promote issues that are dear to your heart?
Seriously, you don't think he's made ANY good calls on the record eh? Then you aren't even looking. All of the candidates have shown good judgement at one time or another.
Guys, cut Holly some slack. She supports Senator Clinton as is her right.
And today has to be a tough day for supporters of Mrs. Clinton.
Can I retract my last post after seeing this from Holly in an earlier thread..
“If Sen. Obama is the Democratic nominee, hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of Democrats will be voting for Sen. McCain in November”
Talk about poor judgement. And did you hear Holly that the Obama campaign is about to surpass 1,000,000 individual donors?
Again, I understand the letdown, believe me I do. But don't let your depression get the best of you.
Holly: 'As far as I'm concerned, Sen. Obama hasn't shown any sign of good judgment.'
Hillaryworld News: Hill showed really bad judgment when she married Bill, and has not gotten much better.
Also: FACT CHECK: Obama has MORE experience than Hillary- over a dozen years as a legislator vs. her 7. And First lady of Arkansas and the USA don't count.
Hey guys, go easy on the female crowd here at TMV- Holly, Damozel, and Jill are having one of those days- depression, fits, departures from reality. It seems only Dr. E is immune from this Hillary Bug.
And don't expect Holly nor the others to give specific reasons- they just FEEL Hillary is better than that big, bad man creature trying to take away her right to be the first lady Prez!
Cosmo, you… never mind.
Cosmo,
I'm a woman and an Obama supporter. I am certainly not alone, which you could read in the polls, if you bothered to read. Stop bashing women, in general, because you don't like Hillary specifically.
Ummm…. Time out, please.
Speaking as another Obama supporter, who is also female — and oddly enough, a TMV author (who hasn't posted in a long time…) — I am finding the attacks on Jill and Damozel and Holly on the basis of their gender pretty far across the line.
No… I take that back. It's way across the line.
I'm not attacking the women, but their unstinting support for Hillary, despite her desperation.
The fact that you see this as an ad feminem attack shows that Hillaritis is catching.
And I do not DISLIKE Hillary. I think she's a hack with no real new ideas, and won't change a thing if elected Prez. That folk are voting on a like/dislike basis, however, says much of what's wrong w this nation.
Now, back on earth:
Experience counts if you're aiming guns or want practice in doing the same thing over and over again.
Judgement counts if you're confronted with new problems the world continually throws at you and you need the mental flexibility and creativity to solve those problems.
These two traits are both good for their own purposes.
You choose the type of President you want.
Thanks, Paul!
In defense of Cosmo:
I really feel what he is saying to an extent, I have noticed on TMV, the same female bloggers with the one line responses that have no substance or legitimate evidence to back themselves up. I have also seen the same from men on TMV.
I guess cosmo feels like I do, why didn't we get these Kinds of comments from these folks when Hillary was riding high as the “INEVITABLE ONE”? Their responses to Obama's success to me is just a direct reflection of the Billary campaigns tactics.
Cosmo and others we should not be surprised by this simple one liners, this is what happens when your favorite person is down, or to take it a step further, doesn't it remind you of a certain administration and or party that we unfortunately know all too well?
Stockboy: Excellent points.
Manasia: Exactly. Notice how anything that is directed about Hillary or her tactics is evidence of misogyny, even when Hillary & Bill use not so blatant niggerizing tactics on Obama. To call them out as the hacks they are is to be anti-woman. I remember three decades ago when a black woman, Shirley Chisholm ran for President. Here was a woman with ideas and intellect and INTEGRITY. My dad supported her, but she was ahead of her time. Hillary is OLD NEWS, but few can accept that.
Cosmo, thanks.
Go O!
Cosmo good points man.