Walk First, Then Run

Walk First, Then Run

"Daddy, why can't little Jay walk yet?" Jay's older brother Christopher asked. "Well Chris, Jay is still very young. He is just learning to crawl. As he gets stronger he will crawl faster and faster. Eventually, with a little help, he will stand on his own. It is at that time that Jay will learn how to walk." "Then will he run?" Chris asked. "Not quite." Dad said. "Jay will need to walk for a little while. Then when the time is right, he will run."

Now there are many reasons why Americans are looking forward to the 2008 presidential elections. A general consensus would show that most people are just plain tired of President Bush. His popular vote has fallen to unbelievable lows. People want to see the American soldiers come out of the Middle East as soon as possible. They want gas prices back to normal. Americans wants a president that can represent the most powerful nation in the world with dignity and pride. Many feel that President Bush has over-stayed his welcome in the White House.

America is looking for a fresh face. A savior, if you will. A dominate figure that can be the voice of the nation. Many people believe that Barack Obama is that person. He is a highly motivating and charismatic speaker. He is extremely eloquent with the perfect amount of zeal. He crosses racial boundaries, because his father is black and his mother is white. He has already begun dabbling in international affairs with his recent visit to Kenya, Africa. Americans love Barack Obama.

These things sound wonderful and are wonderful. However, is now the right time? Is he ready? Many critics believe that now may not be the best time for Barack Obama to

Walk First, Then Run

run for president, but it is definitely the best opportunity. The rationale is that if Obama waits to run he will lose his charisma. America will forget about that Senator form Illinois. Thus, waiting until 2012 or 2016 will severely hurt his chances to win. This philosophy reduces Americans to selecting a president the same way ice cream is often chosen, by flavor of the month.

There is no question whether Barack Obama should eventually run for president. He should. The question is: is he ready now? Is charisma all it takes to be president of the most powerful country in the world? It can not be, because if it were, then any preacher on the south side of Chicago could be president. Charisma is a great quality to have, but it is not the sole qualification for the Oval Office. In the United States current condition, a sufficient level of experience is needed. Does Barack have that experience? Obama has served as the Illinois State Senator for two years. He does not have much prior political office experience.

How many CEO's of major companies secured their positions simply because they spoke well or looked good in a suit? Not many if any at all. Most successful CEO's have extensive experience in their field. In the same way, Barack Obama needs more time to understand how the US government works. The United stated is the company, and the President is the CEO.

Most of the previous Presidents had many years of political experience before being elected to the Presidency. Only 11 of the last 43 presidents entered into office with six years or less experience. Dwight Eisenhower, Herbert Hoover, and William Howard Taft

Walk First, Then Run

all were elected with no prior political experience. Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt both entered office with only two years experience. Franklin Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge had four years each. Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Warren Harding, and George W. Bush each had six years prior political experience. Of the 11 mentioned, only four served more then one term. The lesson is that experience may be the key to Barack Obama's presidential success.

Political experience is not Obama's only short coming. He also lacks military experience. The current condition in Iraq is the primary concern of most voting Americans. It is safe to say that a majority of American would like to see the troops pulled from Iraq. The belief is that no progress is being made, and that too many US lives are being lost. George W. Bush has no current plans to pull troops out of Iraq. He actually intends to send more. Americans are furious. Therefore, is now the time for a man with no military experience to enter office?

If Obama took office in