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.Another more caustic comment from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer comparing Sen. McCain to the hapless former presidential contender Sen. Bob Dole.
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]
It's an election between old and new.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:
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]
"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]
However the age factor dogged the campaign of Bob Dole in 1996 and
repeated television shots of him falling off a podium did nothing to
dissuade voters of his physical frailities. He lost to Bill Clinton 49
percent to 41.
Comedians have already unkindly likened McCain to Dole and the similarities in age are telling. Bob Dole was 73 on Election Day 1996 and lost handsomely to Bill Clinton, who was 50. McCain will be 72 this election, while his youthful-looking opponent will be 47, a clear
quarter of a century difference.
Voters appear to be more concerned by McCain's age than Obama's
inexperience according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center
for the People & the Press. The poll found that 51 percent expressed concern over McCain's age compared to 42 percent worried over Obama's inexperience.
Much will depend on whether the McCain campaign can defuse the age
question, perhaps the only chance of this happening is for the former
war hero to, like Reagan, point to the youthful inexperience of his
opponent.
Evidence seems to be that just ignoring the issue, hoping that the media will run out of "age" stories, will not work for the McCain campaign team.
Image top left: Sen. John McCain on the campaign trial. Credit: jim.greenhill/flickr
Image middle: Sen McCain left light blue shirt, disembarks from the campaign bus in Louisiana. Credit: howieluvzus/flickr
Image below right: Sen. Bob Dole. Credit: h-angele/flickr
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In American there a person cannot be refused a job because of age (NO AGE DISCRIMINATION), other than in positions such as fire workers,police....Age of a president does not matter - a man who was imprisoned for 5+ years in a prisoner of war camp having refused the offer of his captors to release him because they learned his father was a high ranking Admiral of the US Navy. He said he would accept their offer if the men captured with him could be released as well, they refused that request and he stay for the five+ long years. He has served this country as U.S. senator for many years. Obama has absolutely no experience dealing with the international world...a weeks trip of photo ops only hurt him here. I wonder if loses the election will this country be subjected to rioting of the black community - as when King was killed, etc.???
Hello Deirdre and thanks for your comment. I appreciate your views but surely age, like inexperience, must be a factor in the presidential campaign?
McCain is dangerous. I don't care how old he is. I just pray he is not our next president. Democracy won't survive this man.
Thanks Realist, can you specify why Mccain is so dangerous in your opinion? "Democracy won't survive this man" is a strong statement and I'd be interested to hear your answer.
Also I'd be interested to hear your views on the next post on this blog. http://www.monstersandcritics.com/blogs/globaleye/2008/08/obama-brushes-off-mccain-attac.php#more
HAHAHAHAHA, he's damn old
he is known as an old f--k
The truth is that we American's like our President's TV friendly. McCain unfortunately like him or not, comes across as frail, slow moving, slightly hunched over and his is very short and very old in contrast to Sen. Obama.
The spells defeat to John McCain because American's want their President to look good on TV. Sadly only a small percentage of American's will actually look at the issues and vote accordingly. In our media intense culture, it's who looks better that counts.
The Republican's would have been better off with Romney, but the Christian right torpedoed that Mormon right out of the water. His hair alone could have beaten Obama...lol.
How 'bout a third spot on the ballot marked NONE OF THE ABOVE ? If that spot gets a majority,both parties have to choose a NEW candidate and the elections are held again. Obama is parroting more and more of McCain's positions because he 'll say anything to get votes. If he wins,Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi run thge country! McCain scares a lot of people in the wake of W. and over his age. I don't want either one!! Is this really the best our system can do? I don't think so! VOTE NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!
McCain is way too old, Who wants another 4 years of G,w,b twin.
McCain als president ? Do we want more blood on our nation hands ? More wars ? More hatred
against us allin the world ?
I didndn't want this clown either,
he doesn't care about what america wants ! And twice was elected ?
What people where thinking ?
Ouchm I forget sorry,
voting can get doctored too.
Is not dificult ! No paper trail
either anywhere. NO McCain for us !
Will be extremly dangerous for all
of us and to the global peace !
Bussiness like usual, with him too !
He rather should by himself a great looking
'comfy rocking chair' ! We are not kidding !