More than half of Nebraskans felt experience was not important at state level

Much has been said during this election season about the qualifications of the candidates. Is Sarah Palin -- who has never served on a national level and has only been Governor of Alaska since Dec., 2006 -- qualified to be the vice-president of the United States? Does Barack Obama's eight years as an Illinois State Senator and four years in the United States Senate provide enough experience to handle that "3 a.m. phone call"?

While those are legitimate concerns that voters should consider on Nov. 4, Nebraskans have already voiced their opinion of the value of experience. Apparently, it's not all that important to 56 percent of us.

Term limits for Nebraska state senators were approved by 56 percent of Nebraska voters in 2000 following a citizen petition drive. Initiative Measure 415 imposed a limit of no more than two consecutive four-year terms for state legislators. The limits applied to service after Jan. 1, 2001, so the first election when legislators were unable to run due to term limits was in 2006.

In a recent visit to McCook, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce President Barry Kennedy, pointed out that 36 of the state's 49 current senators have two years or less of experience. Twenty-two seats were up for election in 2006 and there are 25 seats up for election this year. Of those, 15 have no incumbent because of term limits. Seven are committee chairs.

Next year, as is the case with all odd-numbered years, the Unicameral will be in session for 90 days. A shorter session, 60 working days, is held in even-numbered years. Some of the important issues to be tackled by our "inexperienced" legislature next year includes a 2-year state spending budget, funding for roads, economic development, and of course, water.

With the passage of term limits, many worried that Nebraska would suffer dire consequences. Many feared that rookie senators would be dependent on state employees and lobbyists who work for special interests. Phrases such as "re-inventing the wheel" and "loss of institutional memory" littered the editorial pages, including our own. And while the past two years have not been without mistakes, State Senator Ernie Chambers' claim that "You in effect, have decimated an entire branch of government" has not yet proven true.

Whether or not the same can be said about politics on a national level is uncertain. The issues are much more complex, and the consequences of mistakes could be much more costly. However, for at least more than half of Nebraska's voters, experience should not be the deciding factor on Nov. 4th.