Ferraro and Wright, Clinton and Obama
If you want a good comparison of the difference between Clinton and Obama, see how each handled their back-to-back crises with Ferraro and Wright. Both denounced what their friends said, both accepted their resignations, neither ultimately distanced themselves too far from the person creating the controversy–so in those ways they acted similarly. But beyond that there was a world of difference. Where Clinton had the opportunity to speak out on both gender and race in a healing manner, she did not; she instead just sat there, waiting for the storm to pass. Obama, on the other hand, did something, something bold and risky, something important and healing.
Clinton only protected herself. Obama looked out for the nation.
Maybe experience is less important than other things.