Sen. John McCain has once again moved to deflect the ever-present age issue that has been nagging at the Arizona's senator's campaign since the announcement of his candidacy. McCain will be seventy-two come the election in November, and if elected, will be the oldest president in U.S. history to begin his first term.

The age gap has been raised by the U.S. media as both contenders approach August birthdays. The unfortunate closeness of the birthdays (for Sen. McCain) has allowed commentators to settle on generational change as a campaign theme - an outcome that would delight the Obama camp.

An example from the Detroit Free Press.

Obama will be 47 on Aug. 4. McCain will be 72 on Aug. 29.

Their 25-year age gap, and the questions it inherently raises about experience and vitality, is part of a powerful generational subtext of the 2008 campaign.

This is the first presidential contest to substantially involve the emerging so-called millennials, a generation that some political and social scientists predict will be the most politically active and powerful of any since the GI Generation that won World War II. [source]

Another more caustic comment from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer comparing Sen. McCain to the hapless former presidential contender Sen. Bob Dole.

It's an election between old and new.

The Republican presidential candidate is a former war hero and seasoned senator who would be the oldest president in history when he starts his first term. His opponent is a much younger, charismatic Democrat.

The Republican's age and health are campaign issues, as is his temper. Falling behind in the polls, he attacks the news media for its biased coverage of the campaign. [source]

However the age issue for ageing presidential contenders need not be such a millstone and was famously deflected by Ronald Reagan who, at 73 running for his second term, told Democratic contender Walter Mondale:

"I will not make age an issue in this campaign," he told his rival during a televised debate.

"I'm not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." [source]