Dissent To The Gen Y Reader

An older reader writes:

With respect to the Gen Y person who wrote to say that he is abandoning politics for good if Obama loses, please tell him and his demographic cohorts to grow up! Obama is a young, one-term Senator. He may have to make a couple of runs to have a shot at the White House. Even John Kennedy had more Congressional experience under his belt (not to mention combat experience and a well-funded family political and media machine). God willing, this is not the last Presidential election in American history, and Obama, like Reagan, Nixon, and others before them, may have to try another time if he doesn’t win this one. For myself, I’m not going to vote for Obama (I’ll probably vote for the Libertarian candidate, if that candidate is pro-life like Ron Paul), but I’d be happy to see him win, since he is the closest thing we have to an antiwar candidate who could actually win. I would just be happier if he had a bit more experience.

The more I listen and read the more thoughtful people who oppose Obama the more I think that the very simple fact of his newness and youth and inexperience in Washington is what gives many pause. And I think these are completely valid reservations. I don't see it that way. I think of politicians as jejune as Tony Blair was when he won office - with absolutely zero executive experience - and see in Obama qualities that will serve him well. An Obama-McCain match places these two qualities - freshness versus experience - baldly in front of is and gives them a new and profound contrast.