McCain v. Obama: Experience

Now that it is shaping up to be a competition between John McCain and Barack Obama, let’s start contrasting the two candidates. This will be the first of a number of looks at points of contrast between the two.

Here is a brief outline of a few of the contrasts we will look at:

• Experience
• Communication
• Leadership
• War on Terror
• Economic Leadership
• Role of Government
• Proud to be an American
• Identity Politics
• The Constitution and the Courts

Let’s begin with one of the more obvious differences between the two: their age and experience. Clearly there is some advantage and certainly much enthusiasm, about having a young and vibrant candidate like Obama. It’s the enthusiasm of a new approach, new verbiage in the sound bites from the candidates, etc. This is the appeal of Barack Obama. You can see it and sense it in the noise level and appearance and size of the crowds at Obama rallies. He talks about inclusion, hope, and enthusiasm to tackle new and old problems alike.

The contrast in style to both Hillary Clinton and John McCain is quite dramatic, and I think it certainly works against them.

John McCain, on the other hand, embodies experience and battle-tested wisdom. Where Obama’s main claim to personal hardship is having grown up largely without his father being a part of his life, John McCain endured and suffered as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. McCain has served his nation, laying his life on the line serving in the military, and since then has continued to serve in public office, with all the personal sacrifices that demands.

Obama can talk about and debate America’s role in the world. McCain can often speak from experience, which can be a very powerful thing.

Obama's career in total is: served for years in the Illinois legislature, and now one term as U.S. Senator. McCain's career includes about three decades of work in Washington, including a long stretch in the U.S. Senate.

So there it is: youthful enthusiasm without experience, or aged wisdom, battle-tested. Since the former looks better on television and in sound bites, what will American's seek? What will you or I seek?