Does Hillary have more experience than Edwards?

[anti-bush]

I keep reading that Edwards doesn't have the experience. But most people think that Hillary, who has been in the Senate for a shorter time than Edwards has, is perfectly experienced. Is being the First Lady that much more experience?

I don't think anybody has said Hillary isn't experienced enough. What's the deal here?

[The Sushi Bandit]

1. Edwards is better looking!

Maybe Hillary can be his V.P.?

[lancdem]

2. Hillary's not running for president

Personally, though, I don't have a problem with Edwards' perceived lack of experience. Any one of our candidates looks more presidential than Bush.

[leyton]

3. Yeah, I think she has more experience.

She was pretty active in Washington politics as First Lady. And if she runs in 2008, she'll have been in the Senate for two more years than John Edwards will have by the end of 2004.

[beyurslf]

4. Edwards looks young which increases the

inexperience arguement. I find myself talking about how "young" he is.

[surfermaw]

8. Isn't he as old as Clinton was at the time he took office, what about Kenn

And of course, we all know he is years older than Bush in maturity and intelligence...He is 50...that is not young.

[Shanty Oilish]

5. Actually...yes.

Not your typical first lady, and she was in the WH for 8 years. It's a unique qualification, but significant.

[DebJ]

6. Hillary was not only very active in politics, but also international

politics...the scores of places she went to is amazing.

[rucky]

7. Almost the same

Trial lawyers. Freshmen senators. But Hillary drafted a healthcare plan that went before congress.

and lost miserably. I guess that sorta cancels itself out.

[Democrats unite]

9. Hillary has been active in Washington

Since the days of Watergate. I say she could mopt the floor with Edwards.

[anti-bush]

13. What do you mean by "mop the floor"

It was an honest question. I wasn't sure if people perceived that her first lady experience was worthwhile experience. I know she was active in her role as first lady (more so than L.Bush, B.Bush, & N.Reagan) but how much does that count?

Obviously it counts more than I thought, although the consensus I hear is that Edwards is a victim of his youthful looks more than his lack of experience.

[Toucano]

10. Hillary is much more experienced than Edwards.

She was active in Arkansas long before Edwards was politically active.

I'd need to refresh her biography for specifics, but she was active in college and right out of college too.

[DebJ]

15. Hillary was part of the Nixon Impeachment Legal Team and worked

in election campaigns right out of college

[elsiesummers]

11. Similar level of experience

The real question is do they have enough experience - yes.

Agree with above poster who says it is Edwards' youthful appearance and good looks that are more f a problem than his actual experience.

But, on strategy, would suggest that, although Edwards is far and away my favorite candidate, he should verbalize more detail, more wonkiness, to his answers to foreign policy questions - and nip this experience question in the bud. I know he is capable of this but the campaign has apparently made a choice not to go in this direction to avoid boring voters (if they want foreign policy details - look at his policy plans is the theory). Not a good strategy choice, IMO, on that one topic, foreign policy. I'm sure this is a decision made to preserve his appeal to "regular folks" but I think it is a bad strategy.

[sandnsea]

12. You're right

I never understood the Hillary vote anyway. Hillary is the last person the Democrats need to run this year. I'd support Howard Dean before I'd support Hillary and y'all know how I feel about Howard!!

Hillary's fine as a person, we just don't need the animosity she generates this year.

[Shanty Oilish]

14. What do you make of those favorable polls?

A while back the polls had her far and away the favorite of potential Dem candidates.
Not disagreeing, just valuing your opinion. I'm not sure myself what to make of her popularity or lack of it.

[sandnsea]

16. People like her

My husband likes her. He still wants her to run. I like her too, I just think we have an opportunity to run somebody who can mobilize Independents, and even Republicans, to our side instead of against us. Kerry, Clark or Edwards even, can do that.