Does Experience Now Matter in a Presidential Candidate?

Rick Klein: “The Paris attacks have reordered presidential politics and priorities, and the reflex is to say this that is a time for grown-ups. Experience matters, or so the thinking goes, as backed up by previous campaigns.”

“But this so far cycle would suggest that a Bush isn’t the strongest messenger for a fresh take on foreign policy. It’s not clear a 40-something first-term senator would be the obvious Republican alternative, either. (Trump’s pre-Paris vow to “bomb the s—” out of ISIS might not be a thought-out proposal, but it does have a certain clarity to it that could match the moment.) As for the Democrats, Hillary Clinton has the superior experience, yet her middling debate performance wasn’t the showcase her campaign would have hope for. We don’t know yet where this moment will lead, but the candidates are appealing to a different mood among voters as of this past weekend.”