This series of gaffes by Obama and Biden that raise serious questions about their ability to compete at a high political level

 Obama's gaffes are either due to ignorance (a "lack of experience") or obtuseness (a "lack of common sense"). But I think the cause of these gaffes makes all the difference as to whether Obama can compete. And we cannot yet know the cause.

An ignorant gaffe is made because one does not have experience in doing what one is doing. An accomplished piano player who errs when playing a piece of Bach for the first time is committing gaffes borne of ignorance; with practice, he will overcome them. An obtuse gaffe, on the other hand, implies a congenital tendency: one cannot keep from committing the error. For most presidential candidates, gaffes are obtuse gaffes. If they can make a competitive challenge for the White House, they probably have had a lot of practice at electioneering. So, any gaffes they continue to make are, in a sense, congenital. Bush's tendency to toss out non-sequiturs and Kerry's tendency to add impromptu addenda to pre-prepared remarks are obtuse gaffes. Neither can help themselves.

But Obama is really not in the same category. This is his first stab at competitive politics that is not on the retail level (which, by all accounts, he is excellent at). So, Obama might be making gaffes due to ignorance, or lack of training in the high profile, media-centered affair that is the presidential campaign. This is a training he might be able to acquire. But not necessarily. Maybe Obama possesses an inalterable tendency to overreach with his rhetoric. Maybe he cannot keep from putting his foot in his mouth. We have just not seen enough of Barack Obama to know either way.

As you read this post keep in mind Dan Quayle's claim to the Presidency in 1996 was dismissed due a spelling error on the word potato...despite the fact that his political experience included four years as Vice President of the United States, 8 years as a Senator, and four years as a Congressman.