Alaska Dispatch

If elected to the Senate, Begich would be the only senator to not hold a college degree. Is this a big deal? Print E-mail
November 18, 2008

By the end of today, we may know if convicted felon Ted Stevens will hold on to his 40-year-old Senate seat. The Division of Elections will be counting ballots throughout the day. So far, Stevens’ opponent, Mark Begich, leads him by more than 1,000 votes.

One interesting difference between Begich and Stevens that never got much play in the election coverage was the fact that Begich, a two-term mayor of Anchorage, never earned a college degree. Stevens earned a law degree from Harvard as a young man and requires his staffers to hold law degrees.

We haven’t checked for ourselves, but according to media reports Begich would be the only member of the Senate to never complete college. This may or may not be a big deal. What do you think?

When Sarah Palin was running for vice president, the media reported extensively that she attended a few small colleges and earned only a journalism degree, as though she was vastly under qualified compared to her opponents, at least when it came to higher education.

Is it fair to judge Mark Begich for never earning a college degree?

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Comments (9)
...
written by PAUL HURN, December 04, 2008
It would be a national issue if Begich were a republican!
...
written by Diane, November 22, 2008
I don't think so, but I hope it is not a trend.
I think a college degree exposes you to ideas and people that are important in life.
Although a journalism degree does not make you a great speaker or VP candidate.
Although, a degree from Yale and an MBA from Harvard does not guarantee a great President!!!!!!
So maybe I don't have a great argument after all!!!!!
Some of the dumbest amongst us have College Degrees...Palin for example!
written by Kelly , November 20, 2008
I have a college degree. Some really bright people have college degrees...and some of the dumbest people I know have college degrees. Sarah Palin has a college degree...need I say more? It's a non issue. Begich is a bright star. Degrees and intelligence have no relationship.
A college degree is nice
written by chasm, November 20, 2008
But is really not very important. Experience and intelligence are much more important and Begich certainly has both.

Sarah Palin has experience but never learned from it. She has intelligence but does not use it. She has a degree but it is meaningless.
...
written by Kevin, November 19, 2008
Stevens knows he may need the legal assistance...
It's up to Alaskan's
written by Hmmmmm, November 19, 2008
It is more than appropriate for Alaakan's to make their own determination on their representative's qualifications. On a national scale, this probably wouldn't fly.

Interesting about Steven's staff required to have law degrees.
Truman was the last President without a college degree
written by Kevin, November 18, 2008
Lincoln was another. They did okay.
College Degree vs KSA's
written by Attagirl, November 18, 2008
A very intelligent Army Colonel once told me: "Private, the only thing that you can be sure of when you have a college degree is that you have a degree". I'm sure you can see why a statement like that would stay with me some 30 years later. The true genius of a man/woman is their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA). Go Begich!
...
written by ba, November 18, 2008
I think people should be judged on their abilities and intellect. If Mr. Begich is honest and capable to me, that is far more important than people with degrees who are dishonest and lacking in integrity.

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