Image Over Experience

Barack Obama, the inexperienced but telegenic Illinois politician who has served less than two years in the Senate, says he is seriously considering a presidential run in 2008. It's true that senatorial experience is no guarantee that a candidate has what it takes (see files maked "Kerry," "Dole," and "Gore"). But are we prepared to say image completely trumps experience? If so, then I don't want to hear another word about how George W. Bush, a sitting governor, didn't have the experience to be president.