June 2
Would Dems sneak age baiting into their rhetoric, and will my taxes go up if Obama wins?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 5:13PM Dem strategists deny they’re doing an age baiting number on Sen. John McCain, but Sen. Barack Obama has claimed McCain had a “senior moment” and Rep. John Murtha, 76, whose constituents apparently suffer from a permanent senior moment when it comes to ABSCAM, alluded to McCain’s age during an interview with a liberal blogger. Murtha is older than McCain and doesn’t appear to be in the physical condition McCain is in. Do you think Murtha could keep up with McCain? I’d like to share a few senior moments in US politics with you.
I try hard to be balanced when I write about politics, but the level of hypocrisy right now is a virtual tsunami. You wanna talk about age? Take Sen. Robert Byrd. He was BORN in 1917. He chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. You reckon he’s having senior moments and that’s why my taxpayer dollars often languish in some congressmen’s freezers? That dicey story sorta dropped off the radar too, yes?
You can watch one of Byrd’s “senior moments” in the video below. If a GOP candidate did that the media would be suggesting, in a completely courteous and sympathetic manner of course, it’s time for the candidate to step down. News networks could’ve had a field day with that one. Even Obama’s had a senior moment and I can prove it.
Vetting the vetters? For the first 10 seconds or so of the video below, asked about the little problem one of his VP committee members had with loans and biz deals, Obama’s talking with his hands and repeating the word “vet” so many times for a minute I thought he might head to Iraq. Admittedly, that was my senior moment. We'll just forget the fact Obama formerly increased US territory by adding 7 states to the nation.
There’s another reason to not worry about a presidential candidate’s age. In the US, we have this office called a vice-president. You get backup. I have enough faith in the Arizona senator to know he’ll pick a good one.
All I can say is the hypocrisy demonstrated by sly attempts to undermine McCain’s candidacy on the basis of age stinks almost as much as the goal of mainstream media to anoint the next president of the United States. Talk about hypocrisy. I can guarantee the Dems will definitely use age baiting because when your own candidate hasn't even served a full term in the US Senate and lacks experience at the federal level and the military, you have to lean on something. And yep, my taxes will go up if Obama wins. So will yours. I guarantee it. Obama will be putty in the hands of the senior strategists in his party.
[Filed by Kay B. Day. I am a supporter of Sen. John McCain for president. I receive no compensation for writing content in support of him. I’m so lowly on the GOP radar I can’t even post a comment at McCain’s blog for some reason.]
Reader Comments (2)
Kay-
I think there are some legitimate issues that can be raised about McCain's age, but I don't see those issues being raised.
Let's face it - being President is a tough job. Bush wasn't an old guy when he took office - and he looks like he's aged about 20 years in the 8 he was in office. Clinton was a young guy too - and he looked like was 60 when he left office... and then - Christmas the dude had a heart attack after leaving office! Being POTUS is a tough gig on the body... there is little doubt about that.
You have to wonder if being President isn't a young man's game in some instances. The demands are significant. Therefore, I think the American people can ask the question if McCain is up to the job.
That said, I've also seen someone like Don Rumsfeld as SECDEF - up close. Despite being much older than most of his aides and counterparts - he showed a level of energy and stamina that few in the Pentagon could match.
So while age isn't everything - it isn't nothing either.
But I agree - the Democrats will use age to be a foil since Obama is so weak elsewhere.
But hopefully McCain can come up with a witty retort like Reagan...
... I will not use my opponents youth and inexperience against him in this election... :)
Bryan
Hey, Bryan,
Thing is, if McCain weren't a GOP candidate, I somehow doubt age would be a factor. Consider the chair of one of the most powerful committees in Congress.He is far older than McCain.And most of McCain's peers are in nowhere near the physical condition he's in. You ever hear anybody mention age of those in Congress?
I think a selection of a candidate should boil down to who can do the job. I think McCain can do it better. And like I said, that's why his selection of a VP is very important. But you make some good points, and naturally, I am always happy when I see you comment here.
best!
Kay