What do you consider "Executive Experience?"

[Sparkly]

I often see people say a presidential candidate should have "executive experience," but I'm not sure what's meant by that.

As an adjective, M-W defines "executive" as:
1 a : of or relating to the execution of the laws and the conduct of public and national affairs b : belonging to the branch of government that is charged with such powers as diplomatic representation, superintendence of the execution of the laws, and appointment of officials and that usually has some power over legislation (as through veto) -- compare JUDICIAL, LEGISLATIVE
2 a : designed for or relating to execution or carrying into effect <executive board> b : having administrative or managerial responsibility <executive director>
3 : of or relating to an executive <the executive offices>

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

Is being a legislator "executive experience?"
Is being an executive director of an organization "executive experience?"
Is being a business executive or manager "executive experience?"

What is learned from "executive experience," and what would be the risks associated with a president without it?

[NorCalDem]

1. A president without "executive experience"

would pose no risk to this country whatsoever, except perhaps for being unaware of how to write legislation/bills and the inner-workings of congress. Of course, a cabinet could easily be put together that would eliminate these concerns for a rookie pres. The only reason people talk so much about experience is because it brain washes people into voting for the incumbent, not a fresh new face with new ideas.

[Sparkly]

3. Yes, that could happen

but I'm not sure how all "executive experience" imparts knowledge of the legislative process, nor how the legislative process imparts "executive experience."

I think it would be a bad thing to have a president who doesn't understand how Congress works (I think we have one now who doesn't understand how *ANYthing* works), but I think there are many ways to learn that, and many people with deep understanding and great minds who haven't necessarily worked as legislators or "executives."

I agree with you -- it's a term that seems to be used to exclude people who haven't gone through the traditional "President School" routes, somehow.

[NMDemDist2]

2. hi Sparkly

:hi:

to me it means having experience at delegating and being able to oversee what's been delegated effectively.

I don't think being a Senator is "executive experience" unless he has it somewhere else in his background.

Clark has it from running NATO
Dean has it from being Governor
Kerry had it way back when in the DA's office
Hillary? Perhaps as First Lady she got some and perhaps in her old law firm, but I don't know......


That's my take anyway, I'll read with interest your other responses.

[Sparkly]

4. That makes sense.

Delegating, overseeing... Could be management, perhaps?

Would being a teacher be "executive experience," or cover the same ground in terms of learned or proven skills?

[NMDemDist2]

5. i don't think so unless they led a large research group n/t

[Jai4WKC08]

6. I once heard...

Clark said teachers are first and foremost leaders (or words to that effect).

So in that sense, I think they do have executive experience. They supervise, they manage resources, they train "subordinates," they get tasks accomplished, they take care of people. In other words, they lead.

I suppose in that sense, most elected officials do as well. The difference is the scope of their leadership. A member of congress, for example, leads a relatively small congressional staff. A somewhat larger staff if he or she heads a committee. And of course a campaign staff, if only for a short period of time.

But it's nothing to compare with the size and scope of organization that a governor runs. Or the executive of a large corporation. Or a Supreme Allied Commander for that matter.

Members of Congress bear great responsibility (or can if they choose not to shirk it) for their role in the governance of the nation. But they do not, with small exception, exercise executive responsibility because they are not responsible for the actions of people other than themselves.

[Hippo_Tron]

7. High School Class President

That's first class "executive experience" right there.