Experience

Here is the report; a snapshot of an upcoming interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.

Senator Obama is comparing the experience garnered running an election campaign with that of running a small city (Wasilla, Alaska), Governor Palin's job from 1996 - 2002. (Timeline here)

Bias Test - will Anderson let this comparison stand? or will he call Senator Obama out for this ridiculous comparison?

---

Update: Anderson did not challenge the comparison. The transcript is here.

OBAMA: Well, you know, my understanding is, is that Governor Palin's
town of Wasilla has, I think, 50 employees. We have got 2,500 in this
campaign. I think their budget is maybe $12 million a year. You know,
we have a budget of about three times that just for the month.


So, I think that our ability to manage large systems and to execute, I
think, has been made clear over the last couple of years. And,
certainly, in terms of the legislation that I passed just dealing with
this issue post-Katrina of how we handle emergency management, the fact
that many of my recommendations were adopted and are being put in place
as we speak, I think, indicates the degree to which we can provide the
kinds of support and good service that the American people expect.

COOPER: Senator Obama, thank you for your time.

OBAMA: Great to talk to you, Anderson.

---

Here is an idea, while we are making nonsensical comparisons - Compare Senator Obama's legislative history with Senator McCain's accomplishments at the US Naval Academy.

During the same period of time (1996-2002) Senator Obama was a State Senator from Illinois. I doubt he had more than 50 employees, nor did he manage a budget of $12M.

Senator, if this is the best you can do, you are relying on the good graces of Anderson Cooper not to make you look like a buffoon.

I will look at the transcript following Anderson Cooper 360.

Where is Sen Obama?

Update as of 1 Sep 08 15:14 CDT: Sen Obama Responds. Reported by Ben Smith. Thank You Senator.

Update: Here is the controversy. Thanks Amanda.


The good Senator once said that he will run a campaign free of personal attacks. He also said that his family is 'off limits'.

Minions who support him are attacking Gov. Palin and her family.

Where is Sen. Obama's leadership in this issue?

I won't link to the Daily Kos. So read about the attacks here. (Thanks Michelle)

Calling Senator Obama, Cleanup on September 1st.

In the Tank for Obama

Here is a point that Jonah Goldberg makes.

The phrase "former mayor of a town of 9,000" was repeated all day long
by Obama surrogates and talking heads. The problem is thatwhile yes,
she's the former mayor of a small town, she's also currently the
governor of Alaska. There's no way the phrase "a former community
organizer" or "former state senator" would be allowed to stand as
Obama's highest qualification. But that phrase was used or recycled
uncritically about Palin all day long.

An any 'respectable' journalist that allows that statement to stand is offering de-facto proof that they are in the tank for Obama.

Palin for VP - response to Volokh

I think that Eugene misses the point entirely. On his fourth dimension of experience, Eugene has this to say,

Let me suggest a fourth dimension of “experience” that ought also be
weighed: sheer exposure and vetting at a national and international
level. By this I mean experience over time in answering hard questions
about a wide range of issues, meeting with other national and
international leaders, and responding on the record to crises and other
developments as they arise. This kind of experience gives the country a
chance to see how you think, to see how you handle high-octane pressure
on the relevant national and international stages, to observe how you
adapt when things don’t go as you thought they would, and so on. It
also forces you to learn about, and to develop views about, important
and complex national and international questions. Voters deserve to
know these things about you. On this fourth dimension of experience,
I’d rank McCain and Biden about even. I’d put Obama distinctly third.
Palin doesn’t even register.

Sen Obama is actually dead last. In this field, McCain and Palin are at the top, followed (distantly) by Biden. Allow me to Fisk this for you.

sheer exposure and vetting at a national and international
level

At the international level? - When do Germans get to pick the American President? What creedence ought anyone give to the Al Jezeera choice for President of the US?

By this I mean experience over time in answering hard questions about a
wide range of issues,

The last time Sen Obama was asked a hard question about a wide range of issues was at the Saddleback forum. That was also the first time.

meeting with other national and international
leaders, and responding on the record to crises and other developments
as they arise.

Gov Palin has reponded to crises - look at her leadership in the development of the Alaska pipeline - the Transcanada pipeline project. No, not a humanitarian crisis, but certainly a project put on the fast track because it needed to be ready in time. Sen Obama can't even demonstrate leadership in the Senate over a looming crises in for America - Social Security. Sen Obama recently even got the Georgia crises wrong - calling on 'both sides to show restraint.'

This kind of experience gives the country a
chance to see how you think, to see how you handle high-octane pressure
on the relevant national and international stages, to observe how you
adapt when things don’t go as you thought they would, and so on.

Gov Palin has 20 months as Govenor of the State of Alaska. Any google search will enumerate how she has responded to any of Alaska's challenges over the last 1.66 years. When has Sen Obama demonstrated exposure to high-octane pressure?

It also forces you to learn about, and to develop views about, important and complex national and international questions.

Like infanticide?
Sen Obama opposed a bill that would have required doctors to provide care for infants born as a result of an abortion attempt - his opposition is that this requirement would have the effect of placing an undo burden on abortion providers
Or invasion?
Are we to be happy that Sen Obama has developed the view that Russia's invasion of Georgia is the moral equilivent and has the same complexity as the US invasion of Iraq.

My rebuttal. We don't know anything about Sen. Obama. He has not been vetted by the 4th estate. In fact, had they properly performed their vetting process, Sen Clinton would be the nominee of the Democratic Party today.
Points:

1. Had they looked into his 20 year relationship with Trinity united and their Black liberation Theology - Sen Clinton would be the nominee.
2. Had they properly investigated Sen Obama's relationship with Mr. Ayers - Sen Clinton would be the nominee.
3. Had the "MSM" fully investigated Sen Obama's relationship with Tony Rezko - Sen Clinton would be the nominee.
4. Had they given us anything more than undying worship of Sen Obama - Sen Clinton would be the nominee.

Gov Palin is certainly qualified to be President. I am actually hopeful fo the first time in this campaign.

Obama the Magnificent

Senator Obama has demonstrated his magnificence from on high. He now calls for the delegations from Florida and Michigan to be seated. Amen.

Mocking Barack

Here is Maureen Dowd's question. via Instapundit

Obama's Judgement

Hi Ann, love your blog, have one thing to say regarding the Obamessiah's judgment.

The good Senator has been touting his 'judgment' as opposed to his experience.
He admits giving Access Hollywood a chance to interview his daughters was a result of being 'carried away'.

If Senator Obama's judgment regarding people he loves (his daughters) can be so poor, then what does that say about his judgment regarding the rest of us, whom he cannot love nearly as well.