Doesn't Palin Have More Executive Experience Than John McCain? After All, What State Has He Governed?

Question

I keep reading that Palin has executive experience over Obama because she used to be a governor of Alaska and a mayor of some city in Alaska?

Well, based on this logic, doesn't that hold true for McCain also? Isn't she better qualified than her own presidential candidate based on this logic?

Answer 1

I'm not sure Palin's 'executive' experience is all that meaningful in this case.  Governing a state is a far less stressful, less complex, and more specialized job than governing an entire country.  While it's true that she is somewhat more accustomed to being the one who signs the bills and gives the orders, any senator who's been doing his job will not only have spent more time around the executive branch of the government but will be more familiar with the country as a whole.  Being a governor is a demanding enough job that she can't possibly be very knowledgeable about the needs of, say, farmers in Montana, car-mechanics in Nashville, or any demographic that is not represented in Alaska.  By contrast, any of the senators hears about bills every day that respond to the needs of different populations and different areas of the country.  Being prepared to lead has less to do with knowing how to sign papers and more to do with being in touch with what's going on in the country and world.  I see Obama/Biden as much more qualified in that regard.

Answer 2

By con logic, being a governor for 2 years trumps over 20 yrs in the Senate.  

Answer 3

Hey what do you know, she has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined

Answer 4

Even Obama isn't able to attack Palin on the experience issue. So it's a mute point now.

Answer 5

they r both playing the  game. Obama picked Biden and Cain picked Palin. Both parties have one who is more experienced than the other to hopefully balance it out. McCain is evil to me but clever. He knew what he  was doing by choosing Palin, and it has nothing to do with her being a woman n he wanting to make history or getting Hillary votes. He has another plan, so I believe from what i can see not so subtley hidden in his agenda....and altho he's nuts..he's very clever..u gotta give him that!

Answer 6

Yes, she does have more executive experience.  But she has less experience overall.  Pretty much a perfect pick for a guy who is long on Legislative and Command skills, but a little short on Executive branch experience.  

I think it is called "balance"

Answer 7

Bush had executive experience and look where that has gotten us.  Executive experience means nothing.

If she were a man, she wouldn't even have been considered because of her lack of overall experience.

She is a token choice....McCain needed a woman on the ticket who was ultra conservative to appeal to all the bible beaters.

If he was serious, he would have chosen someone like Olympia Snowe of Susan Collins or Christie Todd Whitman.  

Instead, he chose an oxymoron...a 'conservative feminist'...

There was no logic in his decision..just another hot headed knee jerk decision by an elderly has-been.

Answer 8

She is neither qualified nor deserving of the nomination. McCain and his cronies think that American women are stupid enough to vote for him just because he picked a female running mate. We are smart enough to know that an unqualified token female is not a reason to vote for McCain.

Answer 9

GRASPING at straws now son

McCAIN has excutive experience from the NAVY..........

nice try but FEEBLE effott

try and come up with something better than that, you are wasting peoples time

Answer 10

For what it's worth, she's the only one of the three with any executive branch experience.  The problem isn't with the experience, it's the level and amount of experience associated with it.  Neither the State of Alaska or the City of Wasilla amount to a hill of beans in comparison to the federal process.

Answer 11

the democrats are getting worried

Answer 12

Yes, she does have, just as Joe Biden has eons more legislative experience than Obama. BTW, Palin has more executive experience than all three of the Senators!

Answer 13

That is one of the qualifications for vice president not the president.

Answer 14

Gawd, I hope so, since the Constitution granted all powers, unquestioned and without checks, to the Executive.

Heaven forbid that anyone recall there are State governments and a Congress with enough power to play Hackey-Sack with whoever is elected President.

Or would we rather have a Stalin or a Castro?

...

Answer 15

Yes - she has all it takes and more.

She was a Beauty Queen and loves to eat Moose Burgers. She fishes and is a Sports Woman.  She has got more on the ball than all other three candidates put together.

Answer 16

Yes,

More than Biden Obama, and McCain put together!

Thats why she strengthens the GOP ticket and exposes the Democratic ticket for the fraud it is.. Get it now?

Answer 17

This is true. Palin is the only candidate on either ticket with executive experience in government.

But I'm not sure how that strengths anyone's argument on Obama being a better choice for president.  

Answer 18

Yes, and Obama and Biden too.

Answer 19

I love this!

First - Obama was attacked for "not having enough  experience", "can he lead"

Now - "at least Palin has more executive experience, Obama has none" - since she has been mayor (town of 10,000) and governor of a state (only 700,000 ppl - for less than 2 years mind you)

Uh - oh - wait McCain hasn't run a state yet either!

Which is more important now?

Answer 20

She's got just about as much experience as Grimace:

http://www.bofads.com/stories/helpmascot...

But at least people know who Grimace is!

Answer 21

I actually wish Sarah Palin was at the top of the ticket. Man, that lady has really got it.