Would You Like Me to Repeat the Allegation?

John McCain's strategy for painting Obama as inexperienced isn't really a secret. It's obvious because, well, it's the truth, and it also contrasts starkly with McCain's own strengths; particularly on foreign policy. It's a no-brainer.

What's odd, however, is the Obama campaign's response to such allegations. From Mike Allen over at Politico:

Mike Allen - February 20th, 2008

Showing a new aggressiveness and focus on Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) as the likely Republican nominee, the Obama campaign held a conference call with foreign policy adviser Susan Rice to “respond to Sen. McCain’s foreign policy attacks on Barack Obama.”

Rice called the argument that Obama lacked experience "specious."

"He's shown the judgment that's necessary, and that's what we need," Rice said.

Rice deserves credit for owning a thesaurus, but "specious" is a pretty poor choice of words. It means "superficially pleasing," after all, and it was used in response to accusations that Obama's appeal is, well, superficial.

Choice of words, aside, however, it's a pretty odd response. It doesn't even attempt to refute the McCain camp's claims, simply offering up a lame reference to "judgment." Maybe you can brush off Obama's lack of experience on the domestic front, where some believe an outsider is better-equipped to run things than someone who's been immersed in the culture. But suggesting that experience doesn't play a role in foreign policy is not only specious (I kid, I kid)...it's downright dangerous.

Strategy aside, the statement isn't even technically correct. How can someone have shown judgment in foreign policy without having any experience? Is Rice referring only to his opposition to the Iraq war? Because, by that standard, everyone over on The Daily Kos has shown the "judgment" necessary to direct the foreign policy of the most powerful nation in the world, too.

Experience is not just about bestowing wisdom on whoever has it...it also bestows information on the voters. Through a candidate's experience, they generate a record. And through that record, we can better see their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, you cannot truly demonstrate judgment on a topic without experience to show said judgment.

Maybe Rice could use a dictionary to go with the aforementioned thesaurus.

» February 22nd, 2008

posted @ 01:03 PM in Democrats

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