What's WITH IT with senators?

[muon2]

They were part of the Senate culture and didn't really understand the Executive Branch.

I've been a member of local legislative bodies.  You are not really administrating; you making collective decisions.  Even in local governments, where you can work with local administration, there is a difference.

Recently, most presidents were governors, who administrate thing.  The exception was GHW Bush, who ran a large government agency (and a business).

It's not only the lack of understanding of the executive branch, but also how one portrays issues. A legislator generally looks to their base in definining and explaining issues. Moving to the executive branch requires a more inclusive perspective. In speeches one will often note a level of specifics and details from legislators that are not present in executive presentations.

[muon2]

They were part of the Senate culture and didn't really understand the Executive Branch.

I've been a member of local legislative bodies.  You are not really administrating; you making collective decisions.  Even in local governments, where you can work with local administration, there is a difference.

Recently, most presidents were governors, who administrate thing.  The exception was GHW Bush, who ran a large government agency (and a business).

It's not only the lack of understanding of the executive branch, but also how one portrays issues. A legislator generally looks to their base in definining and explaining issues. Moving to the executive branch requires a more inclusive perspective. In speeches one will often note a level of specifics and details from legislators that are not present in executive presentations.

You are making exactly the point I was trying to.  These are two different types of jobs.  The job of a governor is more like the job of president than the job of senator is like the job of president.

One of Kennedy's strengths was his ability to communicate like an executive, rather than  the Seantor he was. It's surprising that few other Senators have picked up on that.

The key is to remember that the electorate doesn't have the knowledge of the government insiders. In a local race I was involved in, one candidate made references to actions that were really only known to the council. The public thought the candidate was being petty.