With over 20 months to go before George W Bush is due to relinquish power to his successor, the selection of the next President is already well under way. What experience is required?Many of the current contenders either are members of, or have served in the US Senate (Hillary Clinton; Barack Obama; John Edwards; Joe Biden; Chris Dodd; Mike Gravel; Fred Thompson; John McCain; Sam Brownback). In the 1960s the candidates of both parties, & therefore the Presidents, had senatorial experience (John F Kennedy 1960; Lyndon Johnson 1964; Barry Goldwater 1964; Richard Nixon 1960, 1968; Hubert Humphrey 1968) - but there have been no Presidents who have served in the Senate since. However there have been a number of losing candidates! (Mondale; Gore; Kerry)
