Posted on 09/01/2008 9:10:24 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW
Four presidents generally ranked in the top fifteen by historians have had experience comparable to Governor Palin’s prior to assuming office: Franklin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Grover Cleveland.
Sarah Palin spent four years as a City Council Member for Wasilla, Alaska, six years as Mayor of Wasilla, and two years as Governor of Alaska.
FDR spent just over two years in the New York State Senate, eight years as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and four years as Governor of New York.
Theodore Roosevelt spent some time in the New York State Assembly(?), two years as Governor of New York, two years as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and less than one year as Vice President of the United States.
Woodrow Wilson spent eight years as President of Princeton University and two years as Governor of New Jersey.
Grover Cleveland spent two years as Sheriff of Erie County, two years as Mayor of Buffalo, and two years as Governor of New York.
Overall, I’d say that Palin’s background is comparable with that of several presidents considered highly successful, even considering that her state has a smaller population than the other two states on the list.
While Obama has been running for office for as long as Palin has been running a state, I find it hard to consider the two tasks as comparable preparation.
Ping
Not to mention the Democrat HARRY TRUMAN.
It’s your thread. I’m out the door. :-)
Jimmy Carter’s claim to fame was being from Plains, Georgia, growing peanuts.
Governor Palin has more executive experience than Senators Obama and Biden combined. Being the Chief Executive means making tough decisions. Decisions that have consequences for those whom you represent. A Chief Executive does not have the luxury of voting "present", as Senator Obama did so many times while a State Senator. Governor Palin made decisions, and the people of Alaska have given her the highest approval rating of any Governor. Congress' approval rating is less than 10%.
ping
And less than that of many who were abject failures.
TR was a New York State Assemblyman for 3 years (1882-1884) and a member of the US Civil Service Commission for 6 (1889-1895). He was Assistant Secretary of the Navy only a little over a year before he resigned to fight in the Spanish-American War.
Lincoln, one term congressman.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.