Experience is necessary to be an effective president  November
5, 2011  Put aside Herman Cain's social problems for a moment,
and look at his resume: successful businessman with a patriotic
streak. That's pretty much it.  Yet, Cain leads the Republican
field in some polls, prompting a new Quinnipiac survey to ask:
"Does the fact that Herman Cain never served in public office
make you more likely to vote for him for president, less likely
to vote for him for president, or doesn't it make a difference?"
Well, 43 percent said it doesn't make a difference, 41 percent
would be less likely to vote for Cain, and just 14 percent would
be more likely to support him.  The takeaway from this poll is
that close to 60 percent of Americans don't believe any
political experience is necessary in order to run the country.
Looking back, only two American presidents have ever been
elected without political or military experience.  William
Howard Taft and Herbert Hoover had scant public sector exposure
(and we know how things