What experience does Barack Obama have that qualifies him to be President?

This question is not designed as an attack on Barack Obama...to me, he seems like a capitivating individual and a media darling...but I only recall him being a state senator, before he ran for federal Senator. I like the guy, but you don't give an NFL head coaching job to a high school coach, no matter how successful...Is giving a good speech and serving a year as a Senator enough to be elected President? What do you think? Thanks for your input kniggs, but that's not really an answer...my question is "Why should I vote for Obama?" I attempted to make this a non-partisan question...yet I received responses such as "you voted the 'decider' into office"...I'm actually a democrat, trying to find out why Obama is so great....?

Public Comments

1. Well he certainly has more experience in the inner workings of Federal Government than our current president.
2. I'd think a Senator would be more qualified than a governor.. That's just me though..
3. HE'S FINISHED Once Hillary and her Lynch Mob dropped the Madrassa story on him the other day, his polling numbes have dropped like a 1999 internet stock.
4. None; it's a foot in the door. Testing the water, but then again you did vote the "Decider" in twice and has done nothing but put the USA back 100 years in policy not to mention kill off the middle class! I wouldn't be surprised if he is voted in, no baggage and I'm sure he'll get the hang of it!
5. There are no qualifications specified in the Constitution, so it's up to individuals to determine whether the qualifications are there. As you said, he was a state senator, he was also the editor of the Harvard Law review, which is a very tough job. He probably has more experience in international relations than Bush had when he ran for prez, and there is no secret where Obama stands on any of the issues. Nancy, if you think that Hillary smeared him by calling his grade school a "madrassa" you would be wrong. That hit had right wing written all over it. They tried to make it a double smear by saying it was Hillary.
6. You are right. Experience is his weakness and it is not minor. His political experience is only about on par with Lincoln's when he was elected. I disagree with a previous answer that Senatorial experience is better than governor. Governors is an executive branch office just like the President. As far as Dubya goes, I think Obama probably has 30 or 40 IQ points on him. Also, it appears that Obama has written more books than Dubya has read.
7. so the U.S. senate is like high school football? what? that's a horrible analogy...a national post is a national post... high school would be like a county councilman? the Senate is a national post, where he is working in Washington and is active in congress and is familiar with the law making procedure... in some ways, I think that's more than a governor has, since they are only on a state level and often have little Washington experience... he may not be the most experienced... but not all are... as you mention, he's been state, then federal senator... since 2004, so that's two years... while in congress, he's been quite active sponsoring 152 bills and cosponsored another 427... often reaching acorss to Republicans and working on bills with people like McCain... for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obama#Legislation
8. He has none!
9. I dont see why people are always so hung up on this notion of "experience" There are much more important things, like strength of character, good ideas. The truth is that President Obama will be surrounded by very talented and smart people who will help him. No president does it all alone. Experience is just a code word for tired old politicians and politics as usual. Trust me, the last thing we need is another "experienced" politician. Obama is new blood, he is young, he is fresh. That is exactly what America needs right now. Just think of how much our standing will go up in the world. RIght now the whole world hates us. With President Obama they will love us again and our economy will go up and everything will get better. I bet the terrorists might even stop their fight.
10. more than bush