Does that inspire confidence? Not for me it doesn't. Many people know a state legislator. He/she may live down the street from you. You probably even like them but do you think they are ready to be president? Would a year in the United States senate qualify your state legislator to be president?

Barack Obama is not qualified for the job he is seeking. I think older Democrats in particular see Obama's impressive campaign skills but they also see through them. They see through the skills to the ambitious but thinly qualified person underneath. If Obama is the nominee the Republicans will help a lot more people see through the campaign persona to the real person.