"Goodbye, Governor." That's a refrain the GOP has sung twice recently, once for former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and once for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, as each prematurely bowed out of the Republican presidential contest.
Between them, Perry and Walker have won nine statewide races. Texas enjoyed spectacular economic success under Perry's leadership, and Walker became a nationwide sensation on the right after he scored decisive victories over Wisconsin's public employee unions.
It's remarkable that neither man will be in the race when voting finally begins.
It used to be that executive experience was almost a prerequisite for winning the American presidency. Former governors were thought to have an edge because they'd demonstrated that they could run something.
That gave them an edge over mere legislators. Barack Obama was the first sitting U.S. senator elected president since John F. Kennedy. The Obama-McCain race in 2008 was the only senator-versus-senator presidential race in our history.
Whatever the outcome of the 2016 election, it's quite possible that Obama's successor will also be a former senator with no gubernatorial experience.
In some ways, that will be a shame. There's much to be said for the judgment that comes from running a branch of government - from having responsibility over a wide range of government functions, from budgeting, from learning how to delegate.
It isn't the only way to learn leadership, but it's a tried-and-true way. And it's certainly better than being a four-times-bankrupt reality TV star.
Executive experience hasn't entirely departed from the race. Former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey remain contenders, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is a long shot.
Perhaps one of those men will emerge the nominee, or perhaps it will be one of the many other candidates remaining in the race.
Either way, it's worth asking ourselves what we value in the leader of our country. An inspiring personal story and great oratorical skills are nice things to have in a president. Are they now the most important qualifications?