I’m writing this because after seeing John McCain pick a person who boasts the same degree as I do (B.S. journalism from the University of Idaho with a political science focus/minor), I have realized that I too may be qualified to be in the White House.  After all, I boast a White House-quality degree, as well as the following executive experience:

 1.       I have to make sure our electric bill is paid on time, every single month, 

 2.       When I go shopping, I make sure I only buy things that are either a good deal or on sale, which requires math and a final executive decision,

 3.       I recently got a basset hound puppy, and there are so many kinds of dog food out there it took an immense amount of research and discipline to decide on one brand and run with it,

 4.       When I write an article, I’m forced to find a very careful balance of scathing sarcasm and genuine journalistic integrity, which can be immensely difficult when confronted with an, um, unconventional vice presidential candidate.

So as you can see, I have a long history of making executive decisions.  But, while I haven’t raised five children, in my life I have either raised or helped raise more than ten cats, eight dogs, five pet rats, a snake, several litters of kittens, a niece and last but not least, all of 41 houseplants currently under my care.  It is important to not dismiss the plants – they require a delicate balance of Miracle Grow and clean water that can be tough to handle when chasing puppies and cats all around the apartment.  Oh, and I’m usually the one that rents movies in my house, and with how picky my wife can be, I count that as executive experience as well.  Bring it on, Iran!  I just rented Rambo III, and I’m pretty sure I now know how to defeat you stinking terrorists!  All I need is a grenade launcher…

Okay okay, all humor and sarcasm aside, I believe it is a valid point to discuss the educational backgrounds of all of the candidates, so let’s first start with an educational summary of all four candidates:

Obama: Occidental College - Two years.  Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in International Relations.  Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna *** Laude.

 Biden:  University of Delaware - B.A. History, B.A. Political Science.  Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.).

 McCain:  United States Naval Academy – Class rank 894 of 899.

 Palin:  Hawaii Pacific University – one semester, North Idaho College – two semesters – general study, University of Idaho – two semesters – journalism, Matanuska-Susitna College – 1 semester, University of Idaho – 3 semesters – B.A. Journalism.

 Not to aim all of my guns at the two with the least education, but it appears there is a clear difference in the quality and length of education between the two tickets.  Obama and Biden both worked for years to achieve the highest educational honor, a doctorate, while McCain seems to have slid through the Navy Academy, and Palin jumped around from one place to another until eventually settling on a degree from the University of Idaho in communications/journalism.  I think it’s also important to note that she finished her degree in nine semesters, while I finished mine in eight.  Not to get picky, though.

 Holly Bowen, UI student and opinion editor at the student paper, The Argonaut, said she doesn’t think there is anything wrong with the journalism program at the university, but doesn’t think it is necessarily White House pedigree.

 “Education alone isn't enough to qualify someone to be vice president,” Bowen said.  “The issue isn't that there is a problem with the journalism program at UI, it's that it alone is not appropriate training for the position she is seeking.  Almost any education needs accompanying training to be effective — journalism students have to write stories before they can graduate and work at a professional news outlet.”

 Records from the University of Idaho show she did not work for the student paper during her time here, nor is there evidence she worked for any other journalistic outlet during her education. 

 “The same could be said for political positions, and in this case, Palin has been a mayor and governor,” Bowen said.  “I have never been a mayor or governor, so I can't say if serving in those positions makes her qualified to be vice president.  I can speak for myself, however, and say that my journalism degree alone would not give me the confidence and necessary political savvy to hold such a high office.”

 Fortunately for Palin, some faculty and alumni from the University of Idaho are quick to defend her education.

 “Does a journalism degree from the University of Idaho provide the education needed to be vice president?” asks Shawn O’Neal, journalism instructor and adviser to the student newspaper.  “Why the hell not?  Nobody is ready to be a leader of that caliber from the ages of 18-22 and I think an education here could get a great mind rolling just as well as could a degree from any other school.”

 O’Neal’s comments are in line with the common line of thinking “your education is what you make of it” and also syncs up nicely with the attitude of Nancy Chaney, UI alumna and mayor of Moscow, Idaho.

 “I must preface my remarks by saying that education is what we make of it,” Chaney said.  “UI afforded me wonderful opportunities to broaden my world view, to formulate cogent positions based on science and logic, to listen thoughtfully and carefully, and to do my homework. That said, although I don't think that Governor Palin is qualified to be VP, I don't attribute it to the fact that she has a B.A. in Journalism or that she attended the University of Idaho.”

 Chaney was elected in 2005 as mayor of Moscow, a town with a population of roughly 25,000.  When asked if that made her qualified to be vice president in any way, she replied:

 “You mean three times more qualified?  Sadly, no.  Not yet.”

 Chaney is a longtime supporter of Democratic causes, but offered several points on how being a mayor could contribute to qualifications for the vice presidency.

 “We do have some overlapping job descriptions,” Chaney said.  “I preside over City Council meetings, somewhat like the Vice President presides over the Senate.  I can also break tie votes.  I take my job obligations very seriously and recognize that my decisions can substantially affect people and circumstances here, but I am hard-pressed to come up with similarities in decision making between my role as mayor and that of the VP of the United States...unless one considers the personal choices that we all make every day.”

 Given the educational history of George W. Bush, along with his current approval rating, it is hard to make a serious case that a degree from an Ivy League school is good enough to guarantee a successful or even a popular president or vice president.  Everyone I spoke with agreed that decisions made throughout life, as well as an individual’s response to tough situations, are equally important to a vice president’s qualifications.  And while O’Neal, Chaney and Bowen all agree that an education at the University of Idaho could be part of the path to the vice presidency, they all concur that the education alone is only a starting point, and no university can provide the kind of experience needed to go directly to the White House without further life experiences.