I JUST finished watching Charlie Kirk interview RFK. Totally unimpressive. CK would ask an important question. Kennedy answered, “I don’t have the answer to that”, or “I would need to get more information”, or some other pathetic response. Hemming and hawing.
On the abortion issue, is was about the poor black people, and nothing (that I recall hearing) about the morality.
CK would say something like, “With all due respect, you’re running for President. These are basic questions.” Sad.
I admit, I’m less inclined to pillory somebody who says “I don’t know the answer to that“ then I am to denigrate someone who professes to be an expert on everything.
I despise wonks who think they can grasp all aspects of some issue or another, and base policy on that. Clinton and Obama are just two examples.
I am far more inclined to respect someone who sees nothing wrong with delegating expertise to others, who actually have it.
But as you rightly imply, a person involved in driving or creating policy needs to have at least some familiarity with certain issues.