Are You Experienced?

As I write this, Senator Barack Obama is giving his nomination address at Mile High Stadium in Denver. I must admit it's very refreshing to hear a Democratic Presidential candidate take the gloves off and speak the truth so eloquently. Obama really does represent the wide center of our country -- while John McCain's soul has been sold to big corporations, lobbyists, and Christian fundamentalists.

When the news first broke that Senator Joe Biden had been tapped to be Barack Obama's running mate, I heard NPR voices explaining the obvious: that by choosing such an establishment nominee, he was drawing attention to his own lack of Washington experience. They said this pick undermines his own message of change. Clips of Joe Biden telling reporters that Obama is not ready to be President were played over and over.

The question has been raised: can we trust this powerful office to someone without real foreign policy experience? But what about the past judgments of McCain? When I hear Obama expose John McCain's pro-Bush voting record, and his foolish remarks on economic issues, I realize just how bogus this whole "experience" argument really is. In fact, the only thing that matters is what you learn from your experience. Barack Obama has grown wise from his experience, and so I would trust his judgment as President over John McCain on any issue. McCain counts on appearing very Presidential when he debates. But hearing this powerful speech from Obama tonight, McCain better rest up -- he's going to have a tough time keeping up with the Junior Senator from Illinois. Bring it on.