Few 2016 Republican Candidates Have More Business Experience Than Obama In 2008

Posted by | January 15, 2015 08:00 | Filed under: Bob Cesca Contributors Opinion Politics Top Stories


Since 2007, give or take, Republicans have manufactured all sorts of new standards for the presidency, chiefly as a way to hector and out-flank Barack Obama, making him appear inexperienced, stupid or arrogant (“uppity” also works). Do the list: Obama’s not allowed to use teleprompters, he suddenly has to march in French protest rallies, he can’t play golf, his speeches to joint sessions of Congress can be interrupted by heckling, he can’t drink beer, he can’t appear on television talk shows, he can’t sign executive orders, he can’t fly overseas because it costs too much, he can’t take vacations, and the list goes on and on.

One of the earliest gripes about Obama, a gripe that endured throughout the 2008 election and then well into his presidency, is that he didn’t have any experience running a business, or any experience in the private sector. Right off the bat, that second criticism was an easily debunked myth. They even managed to extend the assault to the president’s first-term cabinet. Obama worked in the private sector for a law firm. Nevertheless, critics charged that Obama lacked the experience managing a business, creating jobs and dealing with a staff, and therefore he had no business being president.

If this is the standard now, then quite a few of the Republicans lining up for 2016 should be summarily disqualified by anyone who abides the “business experience” rule. Among the top-tier GOP hopefuls the following can be immediately knocked off the list.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
No business experience.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
Was a practicing eye doctor, no experience running a business.

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ)
Worked as a lawyer in public and private sector, no experience running a business. Executive experience as governor.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Worked as a lawyer… CONTINUE READING

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Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: Bob Cesca

Bob Cesca is the managing editor at The Daily Banter (www.thedailybanter.com) and a Huffington Post contributor since 2005. He's worked in journalism since 1988 as a print writer/editor, a radio news anchor, a digital media columnist/editor, a book author and blogger. He's the co-host of the Bubble Genius Bob & Chez Show podcast and a Thursday regular on the syndicated Stephanie Miller Show. He's appeared on numerous other radio shows including the John Phillips Show and Geraldo Rivera Show in Los Angeles. Bob has been a commentator/analyst on the BBC (TV and radio), MSNBC, Current TV, CNN and Sky News. Following him on Twitter: @bobcesca_go

10 responses to Few 2016 Republican Candidates Have More Business Experience Than Obama In 2008

  1. Carla Akins January 15th, 2015 at 08:44

    Uggh

  2. Carla Akins January 15th, 2015 at 09:44

    Uggh

  3. rg9rts January 15th, 2015 at 12:30

    What experience do you need when all you want to do is repeal ALL regulations

  4. rg9rts January 15th, 2015 at 13:30

    What experience do you need when all you want to do is repeal ALL regulations

  5. Wayout January 15th, 2015 at 22:39

    Or any experience governing a large entity like a state and it has showed. The following were governors: Romney, Christie, Perry, Jindal, Bush, and Walker. Did I miss anyone who wasn’t a governor?

    • arc99 January 15th, 2015 at 22:51

      Rick Perry would be the perfect GOP candidate, relying on clueless voters to elect him as he rants about small government but boasts about the robust economy that would not be possible without government jobs.

      Yup ideal candidate for the low information right wing base.

      http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/perry-criticizes-government-while-texas-job-growth-benefits-from-it/2011/08/18/gIQAPPZQSJ_story.html

      LONGVIEW, Tex. — Texas Gov. Rick Perry has leapfrogged to the top tierof Republican presidential candidates largely on the strength of one compelling fact: During more than a decade as governor, his state created more than 1 million jobs, while the nation as a whole lost 1.4 million jobs.

      Perry says the “Texas miracle” rests on conservative pillars that he would bring to the White House: minimal regulation and government, low taxes and a determination to limit the reach of Uncle Sam.

      What he does not say is that much of that job growth has come because of government, not in spite of it.

    • William January 16th, 2015 at 12:09

      Did you miss any that weren’t under investigation or indictment?

  6. Wayout January 15th, 2015 at 23:39

    Or any experience governing a large entity like a state and it has showed. The following were governors: Romney, Christie, Perry, Jindal, Bush, and Walker. Did I miss anyone who wasn’t a governor?

    • arc99 January 15th, 2015 at 23:51

      Rick Perry would be the perfect GOP candidate, relying on clueless voters to elect him as he rants about small government but boasts about the robust economy that would not be possible without government jobs.

      Yup ideal candidate for the low information right wing base.

      http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/perry-criticizes-government-while-texas-job-growth-benefits-from-it/2011/08/18/gIQAPPZQSJ_story.html

      LONGVIEW, Tex. — Texas Gov. Rick Perry has leapfrogged to the top tierof Republican presidential candidates largely on the strength of one compelling fact: During more than a decade as governor, his state created more than 1 million jobs, while the nation as a whole lost 1.4 million jobs.

      Perry says the “Texas miracle” rests on conservative pillars that he would bring to the White House: minimal regulation and government, low taxes and a determination to limit the reach of Uncle Sam.

      What he does not say is that much of that job growth has come because of government, not in spite of it.

    • William January 16th, 2015 at 13:09

      Did you miss any that weren’t under investigation or indictment?

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