Serious question re: the Obama "experience" issue

Some people say that Barack Obama shouldn't run for president until he gets a few more years of Senate "experience" under his belt. But in reality, what "experience" would he gain through more years as a Senator?

Unless he moves up into leadership - which ain't likely any time soon (and even that didn't do Dole or Gephardt any good), what can Obama do in the Senate that would make him better prepared for a presidential run than he is now? Cast a couple of thousand more votes? Sponsor legislation that may or may not go anywhere, depending upon the makeup of Congress and who is in the White House? Spend several years on a Committee marking up legislation that may or may not get out of Committee, much less get a vote on the floor? Give some really good floor speeches that will disappear into the Congressional Record?

If he does those things, won't they be just as likely to be used against him as weigh in his favor?

What exactly do we mean by "experience?"

My bad, on another thread. It is two weeks away from the mid term elections and the National Media is all over the "story" of a possible Obama 08 campaign. Why is that?

I don't want to play this game now. Ask me in 3 weeks.