A recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll produced a telling
set of numbers that should redefine the presidential contest – if only someone
would pay attention.
The poll found that a majority of Republican primary voters (57 percent) are
comfortable or enthusiastic about electing a president who has no experience in
government. But three-fourths of voters outside of the GOP – Democrats and
independents – have some reservations or are very uncomfortable with the prospect.
embrace the emergence of candidates without a background in government.
So, it’s probably prudent for the media to stop playing up
the idea that this is the year of the outsider.
Here’s how WSJ pollster Jeff Horwitt, from Hart Research Associates,
summed up the situation:
experience is required — or, perhaps, preferred — when it comes to presidential
candidates. But for the rest of the country, experience still matters when
it comes to picking the next leader of the free world. The background of the
Republican nominee could be an obstacle for voters next November beyond the
broader electorate’s gaps with the GOP base over cultural issues.
“In the latest Wall
Street Journal/NBC News poll, 55 percent of Republican primary voters
support a candidate who has never held elected office. Moreover, among this triumvirate of
outsiders — Ben Carson, Donald Trump, and Carly
Fiorina — each has extensive experience in the private
sector, but none has served their country or had experience to understand how
government works, let alone how to lead it.
“Some say that this lack of experience is a good thing. Yet never
have Americans elected a president who has not had some level of experience in
government or serving one’s country.”
