PINING FOR AN ECHO:

Why Experience Matters (DAVID BROOKS, 9/16/08, NY Times)

Philosophical debates arise at the oddest times, and in the heat of this election season, one is now rising in Republican ranks. The narrow question is this: Is Sarah Palin qualified to be vice president? Most conservatives say yes, on the grounds that something that feels so good could not possibly be wrong. But a few commentators, like George Will, Charles Krauthammer, David Frum and Ross Douthat demur, suggesting in different ways that she is unready.

The issue starts with an evaluation of Palin, but does not end there. This argument also is over what qualities the country needs in a leader and what are the ultimate sources of wisdom.

There was a time when conservatives did not argue about this. Conservatism was once a frankly elitist movement. Conservatives stood against radical egalitarianism and the destruction of rigorous standards. They stood up for classical education, hard-earned knowledge, experience and prudence. Wisdom was acquired through immersion in the best that has been thought and said.

Neocons, of course, oppose her for the same reason they opposed W in 2000 and that the Left hates her: her religious faith. But it's especially instructive to consider what the GOP thought of experience when it was run by the Eastern Establishement elite, before the primary system became significant. From 1920 to 1960 it handed open nominations to the following:

Warren G. Harding: a one term Senator

Herbert Hoover: a Cabinet Secretary

Alf Landon: Governor of Kansas for 4 years

Wendell Willkie: a utility company lawyer

Thomas E. Dewey: NY County District Attorney

and Dwight D. Eisenhower: an army general

A serious person would be embarrassed to argue that they were some kind of experiential elite.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 16, 2008 12:36 PM