T least they had experience when they did become President. Something Obama won't have if hes elected.
Lincoln had no executive experience when he was elected, and almost no legislative experience on top of that. Of those I listed, Eisenhower had plenty of executive experience in the military, but no political experience of which to speak. On the other hand, Jimmy Carter had plenty of executive experience. Johnson had both extensive political experience (as a Representative, Senator, Senate Majority Leader) as well as executive experience (VP). How would you place him relative to others on the list?
Even VP experience doesn't necessarily prepare one for the presidency. I would argue, for example, that Bush Sr. was so intent on showing he was not Reagan that he initially organized his White House in an extremely poor, inefficient way. He apparently had learned nothing about how to run an efficient White House under Reagan (who in his first term had managed to create one of the most well-organized, efficient organizations to date). Clinton, a governor, had one of the worst transitions to power in modern times. George W. Bush, also a governor, had one of the best.
-- Todd/Leviathn
