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McCain: Age Schmage
After doing nothing more taxing than reading his recent schedule, some of us who are in reasonably decent shape and 40% percent or more younger than McCain, (guilty as charged) still break out in a sweat, see stars, and gasp for air.
Accordingly, let they who would question McCain’s fitness for office based on his age find another topic to discuss. The man will probably give Methuselah a run for his money.
4 Responses to “McCain: Age Schmage”
Attacks on McCain's age backfire among the intelligent. Obama is no proven veteran, to say the least, perhaps accompanied by cynicism toward ageism and youth-cult groupie-fawning over Obama's appearance and nice sound-bite speeches. (As I was told on the phone last night — “He can work a crowd — but when the election's over, what then? What's inside his head besides sound bites? This guy could be dangerous!” I dwelled on the “work a crowd” fact: This is one of those times where so much of the crowd is begging to, and gets a thrill from, being “worked.” Idealization and beyond, into groupie-dom, is the buyers' portion of the Obama phenomenon. It's all about packaging, style, and Feeling Great.) Obama cannot rely solely on attacking McCain (much less on age or on dishonest claims McCain is another Bush).
If he criticized McCain's tenure rather than his age, and presented himself as the new, brief shining star who would CHANGE things and then leave, he would have a more honorable position to present. But do he and the Dem-DC really want to shrink the ever-overgrowing monster in Washington, and spend less, and retreat from the debilitating inverventionism of government that only the blind and those stuck in the 1960s and relic-1970s still cheer, and from the decades-long practice of buying votes through government entitlements and other gifts (at our expense) to favored Democratic special-interest groups? Will he reverse that? Reversal is required for his promise of CHANGE to be honest. I doubt it is honest. CHANGE only extends to the identity of the President and the party affiliation next January.
This post totally misses the point in regards to John McCain's age. Just because he can run rings around your typical 72 year old doesn't mean that he is automatically “fit” to be president. As people age, it isn't just their physical well being that goes, but also their intellectual abilities. That is why most 72 yo retire from jobs that may be minimally physically taxing. Given the mental challenges posed by the office of the presidency it is the emotional rollercoaster that will catch you. Just take a look at a picture of Bill Clinton in 1992 compared to 2000 or George Bush eight years ago vs. now. And remember, George Bush spent more time on vacation then any president we have ever had. And a fairly active one to boot.
Given the emotional trauma's he experienced during Vietnam and his advanced age, his emotional makeup today is in question and is a valid concern. He is at the age where Alzehiemers is a real and present possiblity. Think about that the next time he says something to contradict a statement he made the day before or the hour before.
Watch his Tuesday speech and tell me he's sharp as a tack. Even with the teleprompter filled with words from professional speechwriters, he's pathetic. Is it age? Who cares?