N4mddissent
Active Member
- Sep 30, 2008
- 878
- 140
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Why is the difference in educational backgrounds not discussed? You can argue that Palin has more "executive" experience than Obama does. But I would like a little more specificity. What sort of actions and duties constitute that experience? What makes them beneficial to someone seeking the office of President or Vice President? What actions and duties did Palin have that specifically relate to Pres/VP actions and duties and don't apply to U.S. or state Senators.
And experience, while nice, is usually paired with education while considering a person's qualifications to hold a position.
Palin - 1 semester at Hawaii Pacific University; 2 Semesters at N. Idaho College; 2 semesters at the University of Idaho; 1- term Matanuska-Susitna College; Returned to University of Idaho for 3 semesters
Graduated B.S. in Communications and Journalism (Irony?)
McCain- U.S. Naval Academy
Barack Obama- 2 years Occidental College; 2 years Columbia University
Graduated B.A. Political Science w/ International Relations specialization;
3 years Harvard Law School (served as editor, then president of Harvard Law Review
Graduated Magna Cum Laude Juris Doctorate
Joe Biden- 4 years University of Delaware
B.A. Double Major- History/Political Science;
3-years Syracuse University Law School
Graduated with a Juris Doctorate
I think Obama has more educational qualifications than any other candidate. Columbia and Harvard are both Ivy league. Of course, the Naval Academy is also very prestigious, but finishing ranked 894 out of 899 tarnishes that accomplishment for McCain, especially when compared to graduating Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law. I am sure that McCain did learn a lot of leadership there. It is also obvious that a background in political science specializing in foreign relations (Obama at Columbia) would also be helpful to a future president. The fact that Obama, after graduating, taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School also has clear relevance to someone seeking to be president. Biden has also studied political science and law. A degree in communications and journalism could be valuable to a president although seemingly more suited to white-house spokesman. In addition, Palin did not demonstrate much ability to apply the communication skills she studied.
I think the education gap between Palin and Obama is far greater than the experience gap.
And experience, while nice, is usually paired with education while considering a person's qualifications to hold a position.
Palin - 1 semester at Hawaii Pacific University; 2 Semesters at N. Idaho College; 2 semesters at the University of Idaho; 1- term Matanuska-Susitna College; Returned to University of Idaho for 3 semesters
Graduated B.S. in Communications and Journalism (Irony?)
McCain- U.S. Naval Academy
Barack Obama- 2 years Occidental College; 2 years Columbia University
Graduated B.A. Political Science w/ International Relations specialization;
3 years Harvard Law School (served as editor, then president of Harvard Law Review
Graduated Magna Cum Laude Juris Doctorate
Joe Biden- 4 years University of Delaware
B.A. Double Major- History/Political Science;
3-years Syracuse University Law School
Graduated with a Juris Doctorate
I think Obama has more educational qualifications than any other candidate. Columbia and Harvard are both Ivy league. Of course, the Naval Academy is also very prestigious, but finishing ranked 894 out of 899 tarnishes that accomplishment for McCain, especially when compared to graduating Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law. I am sure that McCain did learn a lot of leadership there. It is also obvious that a background in political science specializing in foreign relations (Obama at Columbia) would also be helpful to a future president. The fact that Obama, after graduating, taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School also has clear relevance to someone seeking to be president. Biden has also studied political science and law. A degree in communications and journalism could be valuable to a president although seemingly more suited to white-house spokesman. In addition, Palin did not demonstrate much ability to apply the communication skills she studied.
I think the education gap between Palin and Obama is far greater than the experience gap.