Political Experience: What Matters, and Why?

[KSig RC]

Clearly, this election cycle has been dominated by a few issues - the war, the economy, gas prices, etc. However, it's also been dominated by an issue that is more ethereal or broad - the topic of experience.

The McCain camp has decried Obama's resume as light and lacking - he has a few years as junior Senator and some state legislature experience that holds varying amounts of water, depending on your view. One reason for bringing Biden along as VP is to "bolster" perhaps, with a Congressional record rivaling McCain's.

The Obama camp has fired back at Sarah Palin's relatively lack of experience, as well - just under two years as Governor of a small and unique state, and only municipal experience prior to that. Some feel this puts a tarnish to McCain's lengthy resume.

With that background - what, exactly, do you look for in terms of experience for the President? Why are certain forms of experience more important than others?

More importantly, I guess - what exact parts of the job of President of the USA do you think rely upon or require the most experience?

(Try to keep this clean - argue your point, but disparaging comments that are off-topic will result in me punching your mom. You are forewarned. Be a freaking adult.)