The resume and experience of Obama and Palin compared…
Posted by MJ on August 30, 2008
OK, the Sarah Palin hype continues and I am guilty as charged since this is my fourth post now in regards to her. I have found it so funny the comments by FOX News pundits and other people around the net trying to say Ms. Palin has the same or better resume and experience then Obama. Time for the facts…
When they were children
Obama – experiencing living in a foreign country
Palin – the captain of her basketball team
Education
Obama – Columbia University and Harvard Law School, President of the Harvard Law Review
Palin – Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho
Before they were into politics
Obama – community organizer and activist
Palin – entering beauty contests
Jobs worked at
Obama – civil rights attorney, taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School
Palin – sports reporter for a local TV station, worked in commercial fishing
First elected offices held
Obama – 7 years in the Illinois State Senate
Palin – city council member and the mayor of Wasilla (pop. less the 10,000)
Next elected office held
Obama – Congress as Senator from Illinois
Palin – Governor of Alaska (ranks 47th in pop. in the union)
The comparison is not even close so we can now lay this issue to rest. Palin is even further away in experience then Hillary Clinton who would be a example of a qualified woman -> directing at McCain. After the McCain camp keep talking about experience it’s ironic now that the Obama-Biden ticket is the one of more experience now.
Books written
Obama – 2
Palin – 0 (one book written by someone else)
Now
Obama – President of the United States
Palin – unemployed and unpaid media critic who yet never turns down an interview
UPDATED 12/29/09 – I had the urge to update this post just for the fun of it and to piss off the Sarah “dumb dumb” Palin fans. There is an alternative motive also in that I wanted to test some social networking promotion stuff with this post update. Yes, this does mean I have the itch to start to do some blogging again so please stay tuned…
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ChenZhen said
MJ- I think you mean “captain” of the basketball team?
Otherwise, good post.
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
ChenZhen, thanks for the heads up and corrected.
McCain Adviser says McCain will teach Palin Foreign Policy « Sensico said
[...] a heartbeat away from the presidency, not to make us less comfortable. I found this post, from MJ “revoltingpawn” at Ideas and Revolution and I thought he made an interesting point so I decided to post it, Mj says, OK, the Sarah Palin [...]
ChenZhen said
I think though, in general, there is a slight political risk the goes along with comparing the resumes a presidential candidate with the opponents VP pick.
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
I was comparing them because kept hearing on TV and the blogs that Palin has more experience then Obama so felt needed to set the record straight. It is relevant because of McCain’s age and health which she could find herself President if he was elected.
CoCoLopez said
This is a joke right?! We’re comparing Palin to Obama? Sorry, it’s OBAMA vs. McCAIN! No matter how much people want to make this about Obama vs. Palin, it’s really about Obama learning as a PRESIDENT from BIDEN vs. Palin learning as a VICE-PRESIDENT from McCain!
Get it? Got it? Good. Barack Obama and his rabble rousing MEGAPHONE, his America hating wife and his ANTI SEMITE pastor can all kiss this election goodbye.
Peace
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
CoCoLopez…
Sorry, I guess you don’t get it and didn’t read the post or my comments.
It has been the McCain camp who has made this all about experience since day one when they knew could not win on the issues. We have heard – experience! experience! experience! until our ears bled. Obama answered right or wrong and picked Biden who matched McCain in the experience department. McCain decided to pick a VP with little experience and on top of it every FOX News pundit and right wing blogger realizing this had to spin it and say she has more experience then Obama. Well, it’s not true and I felt needed to lay out the facts and the end result is the Obama-Biden ticket wins on the issues and experience.
In a comment on a previous post you actually said Obama has ZERO experience! How can anyone take you serious making comments like that? Don’t you feel dumb just for saying it?
Understand now?
Outraged Me said
Check out this mock Palin campaign poster!
http://www.heavenspot.com/palin_illustration-web.jpg
Rutherford said
MJ, great post. On NBC Nightly News tonight, McCain told Brian Williams with a straight face that Palin spent more time in elected office than Obama. The more folks like you who show this to be the farce that it is, the better! Never have I had an issue arise that inspired at least a dozen blog ideas for me at the same time. It’s all I can do to keep to ChenZhen’s guideline of one Political Blogger post per day!
As for CoCo, the “wife hates America” thing is sooooo old. Why don’t you put it to rest?
Jeff in Texas said
Thank you for pointing out these differences in experience: Obama – a liberally educated academian, who is a professional politician (hence, a spin artist); versus Palin – a person who can better relate to the average American (because she is one) and has actually been in charge of SOMETHING. Obama’s education, teaching, and lawmaking career, even if over 20 years, means little when stacked up against the experience of having to be the single leader responsible for people’s lives and happiness, even if it is for 47th largest state.
I can tell you are not a leader or you would understand this. This is why her experience is more valuable than Obama’s, especially in the context over who is qualified as a Commander in Chief. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that she is also just the VP – let’s not even begin the comparisons to McCain. Its not even a contest.
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
Jeff in Texas…
Yes, having a Ivy League educated President would be bad and please don’t encourage your kids to pursue higher eduction since will lead them no where. George Bush went to a Ivy League school also but since he barely has a command of the English language he obviously never attended any classes so it’s OK I guess.
Obama is a professional politician and Palin is not? Are you sure? I suggest you look at the number of years each as held public office. Obama, between his time in the state legislature and the Senate has served about 10 years. Palin, between her time in Wasilla and as the Governor I count about 12 years. Maybe you are not counting her time in Wailla because it was small time local politics? That would make her already slim resume almost non-existent.
Sorry, but just because Obama does not have executive experience does not mean he is not a leader. Looking at George Bush again, he had executive experience but he has run our country into the ground so it’s over rated. Please look at the whole picture and not just one aspect of one’s life experiences or lack of.
clancop said
You missed all that mayoral experience, governor experience, including the deal she brokered between Alaska and the Canadian government (Barack didn’t even know Canada had a Prime Minister), etc
Biased post, bad comparison, get your facts straight!
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
Clancop…
Did you even read the post? I listed her time as mayor (town of less then 10,000) and her time as Governor (1 1/2 years). I did not list specific accompaniments of Obama or Palin as it was a overview of their experience.
Biased comment, bad reading compensation, your facts are wrong!
brainyblondeinbuffalo said
To partially quote Lynyrd Skynyrd:
Ooh, ooh that smell
Can’t you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell McCain’s desperation.
I can’t figure out any other reason why Sarah Palin was chosen as VP. I’m sure she has her good points besides her tits and ass. I hear she is a real go getter, the pillar of truth and honestly.
I guess all a huge mistake that Governor Palin is being investigated for her role in last month’s sacking of Walter Monegan, the state’s public safety director.
She is against anything but “abstinence only” sex education. She obviously can’t even get her own kids to comply to this one. Now she says her daughter is getting married. Guess if you get married at 17 because your pregnant that erases the problem!
McCain has opposed proposals to spend federal money on teen-pregnancy prevention programs and voted to require poor teen mothers to stay in school or lose their benefits. I’d love to hear Sarah’s opinion on that one.
Sarah Palin’s husband was arrested more than 20 years ago for driving under the influence of alcohol. Granted they weren’t married yet BUT they were dating. Now I am not judging, i know several good people that had a DUI but what pisses me off is how this chick comes off. Miss “Holier-than-thou” until the skeletons start falling out of her closet and she has to admit to this stuff and then its all okay and her family stuff is “private”.
No one is perfect, hell, I’m living in ’sin’ with my boyfriend, had a kid out of wedlock. I am all for gay marriage, a woman’s right to choose! I am a republicans nightmare, an educated, free-thinking woman who thinks that choosing Palin as VP is nothing more than a transparent scheme that insults any woman with an IQ over 70! Amen. (oh ya, I don’t to church either!)
brainyblondeinbuffalo said
Check out this article “I’m Falling in Love with Sarah Palin’s Story” from the Huffington Post. Pretty funny!
Rev_Johnny said
So ya’ll think that Obama’s vast, expansive 143 of legislative experience in government trumps a mother of 5 who became Governor? Just based on being a mother of that many children, she has more experience that Obama. Who would be better prepared to continually hold the hand of the Democrat (entitled to everything, required to work for nothing)babies than a mom?
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
Rev_Johnny…
Is this a joke comment? Sarah – because she can pump out kids and have a career, she is more qualified then Obama or any other man for higher office? I hate to break it to you but Obama has had a harder and longer journey then Sarah being that he was a biracial kid with a funny sounding name who came from a broken single parent home. God bless her but woman who have kids and careers while not easy is not uncommon anymore…
Democrats don’t believe people are entitled to everything and required to work for nothing. You should lay off the Fox News and Rush Limbaugh since they appear to be rotting your brain there.
brainyblondeinbuffalo said
@Rev_Johnny:
Ummmmmmm… YES! YES! and YES! I do think Obama’s REAL WORKING experience in government trumps a mother of 5 who became Governor.
Sarah sure has more experience with changing diapers and breaking up petty fights,if thats the kind of “experience” your talking about, it might work well in dealing with Republicans, but us Democrats are looking for a candidate with a bit more substance. =)
Donkey hater said
What is a community organizer? All I know Obama’s political career and background has a racist pastor (Rev Wright), a crooked real estate mogul (Tony Reskow), and a former domestic terrorist as (William Airs). Sarah Palin has lived the American dream from the PTA( which you forgot) to Governor, and finally Vice presidential nominee. Look in the mirror or in this case look at Obama before you throw stones, she does have real politcal experience not just talk and voting present at every opportunity and controversy.
*** COMMENT EDITED ***
I don’t allow personal attacks or name calling on this blog and if you continue with comments like this they will be deleted.
If you don’t know what a community organizer and activist is I would suggest you Google it. While you are at it you may want to little research on the life of Obama since from your comment you are pretty ignorant in regards to it. You still have time before you vote in November. I didn’t list everything Obama or Palin did and her PTA work once again would be over shadowed by Obama’s community work. Yes, Ms. Palin does have real political experience and nobody said she does not but her resume is slimmer then any Presidential or Vice-Presidential nominee in modern history.
Brokeman said
Good post; here’s a different point of view:
7 Reasons Why Sarah Palin Is the Right Choice for McCain and the Republicans
http://webebroke.com/?p=222
Kristin said
All you Republican brainiacs who think Palin has more experience than Obama, dont forget by your way of thinking, she also has more experience than McCain because he never was mayor or governor either. Also don’t forget you think her foreign relations experience comes from Alaska being the closest state to Russia. Don’t cry when they loose.
Neuromancer said
*** COMMENT EDITED ***
I don’t allow personal attacks or name calling on this blog and if you continue with comments like this they will be deleted.
——————————————————–
And yet three days later Kristin makes a derisive comment about “All you Republican Brainiacs” but somehow you seem to have let that one slip.
If you are going to enforce rules against name calling then you should at least make an attempt to appear fair about it before kicking off those with whom you diaagree.
First of all, it’s my blog and I don’t need to be fair but what are you basing on that I am not fair?
TulsaDude said
Jeff In Texas… well of course you’re in Texas! I really love the arguement for choosing an “average American” as V.P. That sounds awesome. How ’bout an uneducated “decider” type that shoots from the gut and can see someone’s soul just by looking into their eyes. Try asking New Orleans residents what they think about having a bunch of average knuckleheads responsible for their lives and happiness. Between Bill C. and George W., I’ve had enough of rednecks in the Whitehouse for the time being… especially the bible thumping, book banning variety.
John F. said
Okay, let’s compare Biden and Palin… jeez, who do you think would look better? As for McCain vs. Obama… in a firefight… in a burning building… and, absolutely, in a country that’s going up in smoke economically, militarily, and morally… I’d sure as hell look for Obama before McCain. (Go ahead, this is where you trot out the stupid 40-year old POW story and how that’s supposed to make me think McCain would be a good president).
Oh, and P.S… Obama sure as hell could have handled the Wasilla job and the governorship in Alaska… I’ll bet he would have figured out how to raise five children too, without a teen pregnancy or any criminal charges along the way… but I highly doubt Palin could have made her way to the Harvard Law Review… and to this day I’d be astounded if she could answer a single question about constitutional law, let alone teach a college level course on it (as Obama did).
Neuromancer said
First of all, it’s my blog and I don’t need to be fair but what are you basing on that I am not fair?
—————————————–
I was just pointing out the obvious. I noticed, for example, that you edit and remove posts at will (in my case you deleted an apology for a typo that could have been misinterpeted, then edited the original post to correct for the typo). It was actually a nice thing to do, but fairly uncommon.
As the “owner” you can be as unfair or as fair as you like. Conservatives tend to classify that under the general rubric of “character”. My free advice (worth every penny) is to strive for balance.
For me, I hardly learn anything from my fellow conservatives. The truth is that I already know most of what they know, so I seek out liberal sites in order to learn what I can for as long as they allow me to stay (usually less than a few weeks since most people don’t particularly care to have their long held belief systems demonstrably shaken to the core).
Feel better now?
I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you.
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
@Neuromancer
“I noticed, for example, that you edit and remove posts at will (in my case you deleted an apology for a typo that could have been misinterpeted, then edited the original post to correct for the typo). It was actually a nice thing to do, but fairly uncommon.”
I edit to make the thread readable so made the typo correction for you and removed the unnneeded comment.
“As the “owner” you can be as unfair or as fair as you like. Conservatives tend to classify that under the general rubric of “character”. My free advice (worth every penny) is to strive for balance.”
I am fair in regards to comment deletion and it’s not my fault the name calling and asshole ignorant comments tend to be from conservatives. Yes, I have deleted comments from “liberals” who act like idiots. This blog was not created to be littered by personal attacks toward me or others nor for racist comments. I need balance in regards to what? This a opinion blog from a progressive perspective so it will never be fair form a conservative viewpoint.
“…so I seek out liberal sites in order to learn what I can for as long as they allow me to stay”
Yes, some people get their rocks off being annoyance until they are banned from a site.
“…don’t particularly care to have their long held belief systems demonstrably shaken to the core”
You have made almost a dozen comments on this blog and no where near shaken anyone’s beliefs to their core. I don’t think that was the reason anyone banned you from their site and is only in your mind
Neuromancer said
*** COMMENT DELETED ***
This your third comment on this post unrelated to the topic at hand which is Obama vs. Palin in regards to experience so this comment was deleted.
You got your wish and have been banned since you have become annoyance….
You questioning how I run my blog has become tiresome. When people leave comments that are nothing but personal attacks, name calling, or a racist remark I will delete them and call them what they are which are ignorant assholes. Go start your own blog and run it as you see fit.
I know you think deleting your comment plays into your idea that liberals hate open debate. The rest of your comment (for the curious) was a rant on how you grew up and learned liberals really are socialists (but yet conservatives are not fascists). I have heard this line a million times and still is ignorant as ever.
DAveR said
Biased post not worth it’s weight it crushed eggshells.
I could put in there
Education:
Palin – Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho
while…
Obama – At Columbia snorting coke and other things we don’t know about since he has locked down all records and refuses to release them so we know what he was up to.
See the way? We can twist this any way you like.
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
@DAveR
Apparently you don’t know what the word bias means since my post was just simple facts and hardy my fault Sarah Palin does not stack up to Obama. Oddly or not, your comment was very bias… What Obama was up to at Columbia was step stoning his way to a law degree at Harvard.
Obama was a minor league party and coke guy compared to George Bush my friend.
deemann said
lol fag, Obama is fail.
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
@Deemann
English your first language?
BocaMajor said
MJ,
In searching for comparative data on the candidates I came across your blog. Your initial effort in placing forth a “comparison of experience” in reference to a topic of such importance is admirable. However, your subsequent rhetoric belies any effort to show a desire for reasoned discourse. You could have simply stated, “I’m voting for Obama and I don’t give a damn what anybody else thinks” and have accomplished the same goal.
You make no illusion about your bias toward Obama which is fine but why do you waste the energy in being so hypocritical. You tell a fellow human being with an opposing point of view:
*** COMMENT EDITED ***
I don’t allow personal attacks or name calling on this blog and if you continue with comments like this they will be deleted.
While allowing the following:
Okay, let’s compare Biden and Palin… jeez, who do you think would look better? As for McCain vs. Obama… in a firefight… in a burning building… and, absolutely, in a country that’s going up in smoke economically, militarily, and morally… I’d sure as hell look for Obama before McCain. (Go ahead, this is where you trot out the stupid 40-year old POW story and how that’s supposed to make me think McCain would be a good president).
Oh, and P.S… Obama sure as hell could have handled the Wasilla job and the governorship in Alaska… I’ll bet he would have figured out how to raise five children too, without a teen pregnancy or any criminal charges along the way… but I highly doubt Palin could have made her way to the Harvard Law Review… and to this day I’d be astounded if she could answer a single question about constitutional law, let alone teach a college level course on it (as Obama did).
You obviously have a passion for the subject and have committed time and effort into seeking information and expressing your thoughts. It’s easy to say cruel, thought-less, mean-spirited things in this disembodied cyber-world. The reality is that in this real-life election, there will be real-life consequences for decisions made. You wouldn’t stand in front of me or any of the other bloggers and say the words you’ve typed in seclusion. In the end, this election is a reflection of your blog. It’s not what people say that matters, it’s what they do. Your comparison exercise lacks focus because it starts with a false premise. This isn’t a popularity contest with “American Idol” judges, this is a job interview and we’re the bosses. The only test of what people will do in the future is to evaluate what they’ve done in the past.
Whomever any of you chooses to be the next POTUS, I can only hope that you will devote as much energy into understanding that he will have very little influence over your daily lives. The President doesn’t debate about, doesn’t vote for, doesn’t draft a page of, doesn’t lobby support for and does not oversee or prosecute violations of a single law that does and will affect you and your family; Congress does. The President’s most important asset is in being a “decision-maker”.
I’ll leave all of you with some food for thought in your decision making process. One of the first and possibly the most profound “American” minds once penned:
“A government that is large enough to supply everything you need is large enough to take everything you have.” – Thomas Jefferson
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
@BocaMajor
I am kinda getting tired of repeating myself…
If you had looked at this thread and around my blog you would see many comments of opposing viewpoints. I do NOT delete someone’s comments because they do not agree with me. People find themselves deleted or banned because they can’t comment without name calling or making personal type attacks against ME or another READER. I have no idea what the point was of you highlighting the comment you did… This is not a free for all blog and I have rules of conduct. Do you understand now?
““I’m voting for Obama and I don’t give a damn what anybody else thinks” and have accomplished the same goal.”
It’s no secret I am voting for Obama and have said so in this blog number of times. What’s your point? This blog like 99.9% of every other blogs are thoughts of OPINION (not rhetoric). Are you saying since I support Obama I should not blog or give opinions on politics?
“it’s not what people say that matters, it’s what they do. Your comparison exercise lacks focus because it starts with a false premise. This isn’t a popularity contest with “American Idol” judges, this is a job interview and we’re the bosses. The only test of what people will do in the future is to evaluate what they’ve done in the past.”
What’s the false premise of this post and comparison? Your whole statement here is just nonsense. No shit that the Presidential race is not a popularity contest. My post was a simple comparison of the highlights of the resume and life experiences of Obama and Plain. That’s all… Everyone who has complained that it was bias, including you have not been able to say specifically what is bias or inaccurate in my post. I agree it does matter what a person has done in the past and as you see from my post Obama has done alot and Plain not so much. I didn’t even mention in the post Obama wrote two books and as of this point Ms. Palin has wrote nothing.
“Whomever any of you chooses to be the next POTUS, I can only hope that you will devote as much energy into understanding that he will have very little influence over your daily lives.”
Sorry, I think may you should take some classes on civics and history or just look at the last eight years of the Bush Administration to see what influence the President has on our lives. No, you are right the Presidency does not matter so I suggest YOU do not vote this coming election.
““A government that is large enough to supply everything you need is large enough to take everything you have.” – Thomas Jefferson”
Thanks for the Thomas Jefferson quote but unfortunately it was not relevant to this post or the discussion.
Jon said
…”Get it? Got it? Good. Barack Obama and his rabble rousing MEGAPHONE, his America hating wife and his ANTI SEMITE pastor can all kiss this election goodbye.”
I guess we can kiss your ass goodbye..you moving to Finland?
See ya
MJ "revoltingpawn" said
@Jon
It’s exactly that type of ignorant rhetoric you spouted which cost the Republicans this election. The question is whether you or the Republican party will figure that out.
Rutherford said
MJ, the only problem with your update is the “unpaid media critic”. While technically true, let’s face it, her ghost-written book will likely make her a millionaire.
More horribly, the roster of potential GOP Prez contenders is so thin that Sarah might well win Iowa in 2012 before she quits the campaign mid-way saying that it’s best for America’s soldiers.
MJ said
The “unpaid media critic” part was not referring to her book but her Facebook posts and non-stop interviews ironically (or not) by the media. Saying she is “unemployed” is me just being tongue-in-cheek but lets face it she is more a celebrity figure then anything. Sarah Palin has no chance in a national election including the GOP presidential nomination in 2012.
The Russian comment on this thread was the first one I had gotten and was hoping it was real but more were to follow on my blog. I finally sent the comment to the sin (spam) bin…
Curious, where did you see this post was updated?
Rutherford said
As luck would have it, when you made your update, the ping landed on my WPPBA page. Glad to see you back blogging again.
MJ said
Thanks…