quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:

Making his first campaign appearance in this state, Democrat Barack Obama on Tuesday tackled a question that's still on the minds of many voters: Is he experienced enough to be president?

If experience was the most important factor then Gov. Richardson would, hands down, be the Democratic nominee. The real question is, does he have enough experience - and based upon John Edwards running this and last time with only 1 senate term under him and with Hillary's 1 term (and with GWB's "experience" prior to the WH) - the answer is clearly, "yes".

BTW - Hillary talks about all of her 31 years of experience. Just sitting in the room with her husband does not equal experience. If that were the case we should elect the head of the secret service or the WH janitor or something. Their experience is equal to Hillary's.

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
If experience was the most important factor then Gov. Richardson would, hands down, be the Democratic nominee. The real question is, does he have enough experience - and based upon John Edwards running this and last time with only 1 senate term under him and with Hillary's 1 term (and with GWB's "experience" prior to the WH) - the answer is clearly, "yes".

BTW - Hillary talks about all of her 31 years of experience. Just sitting in the room with her husband does not equal experience. If that were the case we should elect the head of the secret service or the WH janitor or something. Their experience is equal to Hillary's.

I really don't know why the "experience" question nor the "Black enough" questions are still being asked.

While on Obama's part I do believe he lacks any kind of extensive political experience ... and that such experience is very important, that doesn't mean that he couldn't do the job. And on Hillary's deal, she may not have "hands-on" experience, but I do believe that if you're in close enough proximity to somebody doing something for a long time, you can learn to do it too. My mom, as a legal secretary, could not present a legal brief in court, but she could (and did) write up a few of them that the attorney did take straight from her hands into the court and win with them! So, I think if Hillary has been closely involved with politicians or a long time, she probably has a great deal of "knowledge experience" if nothing else.

But, be that as it may, as you rightly say, neither one of them beats out Richardson, and if that's what's most important to a voter, then s/he should definitely swing their vote towards him.

It's not experience nor ethnicity that is the most important factor in a candidate for me, though. Things like policy, stance on the issues, prior voting records, and how they (say they) are going to impact the Black community tops my list. Whoever I vote for (and that decision hasn't been made yet!) will be the person I think will bring forth solutions that will impact us best. My people are my priority ... and my vote will reflect that.

I wonder how many financially needy American children qualify for or get such grants or waivers?



Obama urges Calif. to approve aid bill

By STEVE LAWRENCE, Associated Press Writer
Tue Oct 9, 9:26 PM ET

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday urged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign a bill that would make illegal immigrant students who graduate from high school eligible for college aid.

Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar measure last year.

"If Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes the Dream Act a second time, he will compound the immigration crisis by driving thousands of children who are on the right path into the shadows," Obama said in a statement.

"We teach our children that in America you will thrive if you work hard and dream big. Governor Schwarzenegger now has the chance to demonstrate that instead of blaming one group for the challenges America faces, he can unite Californians and give children who play by the rules the opportunity to succeed."

The bill, which the Legislature approved last month, applies to financially needy illegal immigrant students. They would be eligible for state grants or community college fee waivers if they graduate from a California high school after attending it for at least three years, and only if they are accepted at a California college or university.

A spokesman for Schwarzenegger said the governor was reviewing the bill.

California already allows illegal immigrant students to pay the same public college or university fees as state residents who are U.S. citizens, rather than the higher fees out-of-state students face. But that only applies if the immigrant graduated from a California high school after attending it for at least three years. The students also must apply for legal status.

Obama, a U.S. senator, co-sponsored similar legislation when he was a state senator in Illinois.