Republicans fight battle of résumés

Serving as governor may be experience most valued by voters

The GOP presidential field, joined by Ohio Gov. John Kasich Tuesday, has been depicted as the conservatives vs. the moderates, the pragmatists vs. the ideologues, the Tea Partiers vs. the moralists.

Try this one: the governors vs. the senators.

Republican presidential prospects not only make up the biggest field in modern political history ( 16, and one more former governor to go) but also the most muscular in terms of electoral résumés. Their ranks include eight current or former governors and five current or former senators. Also in the mix are two business executives — perhaps you’ve heard of Donald Trump? — and a retired neurosurgeon.

The role that most resonates with voters is governor. That’s a credential the Kasich campaign is quick to claim, though he cites other past jobs, including as a member of Congress.

“I believe I do have the skills and I have the experience — I have the experience and the testing, the testing which shapes you and prepares you for the most important job in the world,” he said at Ohio State University. “And I believe I know how to work and help restore this great United States.” In a USA TODAY/ Suffolk University Poll, 40% of Americans said governors have “the skill set and experience most needed to be president.” Senators fared no better than contenders from the private sector, preferred by 23% each. The survey of 1,000 adults, taken July 9- 12, has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

“In terms of baseline preparation, there’s nothing like a hurricane, a tragedy like 9/ 11, the mechanics of balancing the budget and dealing oftentimes with a bipartisan legislature,” says Phil Musser, former executive director of the Republican Governors Association. “If you look at the curveballs that governors have to deal with on the fly, it’s really where the rubber meets the road.”

That can be a double- edged sword. When governors or their statehouse administrations stumble, problems can dog them. Exhibit A: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Bridgegate.

Governors brag that they have balanced their state budgets, though they typically don’t mention that every state except Vermont mandates that by constitutional provision or statute. Members of Congress debate, the governors scoff; they have to deliver.

“We’ve had enough of talkers; it is time for a doer,” Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said in his announcement address. In a speech Monday, former Florida governor Jeb Bush ridiculed Washington

for inaction and proposed docking the pay of members of Congress who don’t show up to vote.

“If we can’t always get them on the job, let’s at least get them on the record,” Bush said. “If I learned anything as governor of Florida, it was never to take time for granted.”

Four of the past six presidents previously served as governors. Barack Obama was the first senator in a half- century to make it to the Oval Office. The most consequential presidents of the 20th century had been governors more often than not: Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan.

“The governors have a big advantage in that they can run against Washington,” says Stu Rothenberg, founder of the nonpartisan Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report. “The caveat this year is Republicans are very focused on international issues, foreign policy and national security.”

Senators can claim that as “part of the portfolio,” Rothenberg says. “But if you’re Mike Huckabee, how do you talk about how you can defend the free world?”

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio cites national security expertise he’s gained as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees; Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul his work on Foreign Relations and Homeland Security; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham their work on Armed Services.

“I’ve been to the Middle East more times than I can count,” Graham boasted in his announcement speech. “I have listened, learned and prepared myself for the job of commander in chief.”

Kasich and his allies argue he offers a unique combination of credentials. “John Kasich helped to balance the federal budget, turned around the Ohio economy and has 18 years’ experience on the Armed Services Committee,” says a 60- second ad that New Day for America, a supportive PAC, began airing Tuesday in New Hampshire and Boston.

The size of the GOP field means even a candidate with credentials such as Kasich isn’t guaranteed an invitation to the opening debate Aug. 6, though it takes place in his home state. He’s 11th in the RealClearPolitics average of the four most recent national polls, at 1.5%

Only the top 10 make the Cleveland debate.

“If you look at the curveballs that governors have to deal with on the fly, it’s really where the rubber meets the road.” Phil Musser, former executive director of the Republican Governors Association

JOHN MINCHILLO, AP