[Bill,
January 29, 2008]
Obama 's first job
Obama's resume looked a little thin to me. Since he is a serious candidate with about a 25% chance of being president right now, I thought I'd look into him.
What I was worried about was that Obama has never earned a private-sector dollar in his life. I do believe there is a vast worldview outlook between those who rely on donated dollars/tax dollars for their daily bread, and those who actually produce those tax dollars by serving customers.
It turns out that I was wrong. While he has little experience, he has actually earned some private-sector dollars.
But here was the real shocker. Obama was a B2B newsletter writer. I shit you not. His first job out of college was working an editor for Business International Corporation, writing newsletters for international businesses. (The Economist Group bought the company many years ago.)
Also, Obama worked as an associate in a big Chicago law firm, where he was assigned a personal mentor who later became his wife. He did this for a couple of years.
So the man does have some experience in the private sector. I'd definitely consider hiring him as a senior editor here at our B2B newsletter company. As president, um, no. I mean, Hillary Clinton at least made partner in her law firm. Managing partner, I believe. However, she was never a B2B newsletter writer.
*****
More broadly, it's important that everyone realize just how clever this guy is. His rhetoric is extremely effective, particularly with people who want to believe in the valuable sentiments he mentions.
What's certain so far: You underestimate this guy at your own peril.
What I was worried about was that Obama has never earned a private-sector dollar in his life. I do believe there is a vast worldview outlook between those who rely on donated dollars/tax dollars for their daily bread, and those who actually produce those tax dollars by serving customers.
It turns out that I was wrong. While he has little experience, he has actually earned some private-sector dollars.
But here was the real shocker. Obama was a B2B newsletter writer. I shit you not. His first job out of college was working an editor for Business International Corporation, writing newsletters for international businesses. (The Economist Group bought the company many years ago.)
Also, Obama worked as an associate in a big Chicago law firm, where he was assigned a personal mentor who later became his wife. He did this for a couple of years.
So the man does have some experience in the private sector. I'd definitely consider hiring him as a senior editor here at our B2B newsletter company. As president, um, no. I mean, Hillary Clinton at least made partner in her law firm. Managing partner, I believe. However, she was never a B2B newsletter writer.
*****
More broadly, it's important that everyone realize just how clever this guy is. His rhetoric is extremely effective, particularly with people who want to believe in the valuable sentiments he mentions.
What's certain so far: You underestimate this guy at your own peril.