No, but I still don't see the difference. None of our Senators were elected until 1913, were none of them qualified? Zell Miller was appointed, Lincoln Chafee was appointed, Daniel Akaka was appointed, Walter Mondale was appointed, Murkowski, Menendez, Barrasso, and Wicker were all appointed. All of them were also later elected. Were they not qualified until they were elected?
Zell Miller: As a former Governor of Georgia, he was unquestionably qualified.
Linc Chafee: Nominated based on his name, though as mayor of Warwick, he was probably one of the most qualified Republicans available.
Daniel Akaka: Served in the U.S. House from 1976 to 1990. Qualified.
Walter Mondale: Served as Minnesota Attorney General for two terms before appointed. Qualified.
Murkowski: Nepotism appointee. Qualified though, as she was serving as the AK House Majority Leader when appointed.
Menendez: Exceptionally qualified with a career in elected legislative politics going back to 1987. Served 13 years in the U.S. House with a track towards House leadership.
Barasso: Perhaps not the
most qualified candidate, but he still spent 5 years in the WY State Senate, where he served as chair of the Transportation and Highways Committee. Ran for U.S. Senate (unsuccessfully) in 1996.
Common thread amongst all those listed: Past elected office and lengthy public careers.
There is no reason to nominate Caroline Kennedy when there are literally hundreds of people in New York more qualified than she, all with actual public records.
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