McCain Gets the GOP Nod, Will Speculation That He May Die In Office be a Legitimate Campaign Issue?

[tritsofme]

He certainly appears to be healthy at this point, and his mother's advanced age shows that longevity may be a family trait, but McCain would take the oath of office at 72 years old, the oldest of any president.

70 isn't as old as it was at one time, but at this age many of us will begin to croak.

Do you think the possibility of his death while in office along with who chooses as his VP candidate could be a big issue in a campaign with McCain taking the GOP lead?

Will Democrats be able to explore this issue without fear of offending elderly voters?

Is this even an issue?

If you look at it through a realistic lenses, it certainly isn't out of the range of possibilities that such a scenario could play out.

[bidenista]

1. no

It would sound gross and opportunistic.

[tritsofme]

5. But it seems there is a high probablitity that this could happen.

McCain is no spry chicken.

Will everyone just pretend his advanced age is not an issue?

[msongs]

2. just keep showing the pic of him embracing bush - that oughta be enough nt

[rzemanfl]

3. That's my thought too, plus this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2773351&mesg_id=2773351

[bidenista]

4. come to poppa!

<>

[rzemanfl]

8. That one is from his bad side, (photowise). n/t

[davidinalameda]

6. anyone could die in office no matter how old

look at JFK

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. He doesn't appear healthy to ME at all. I don't think it's an issue that would ever be

brought up, because frankly, the guy's appearance raises that concern automatically, so the Democratic nominee can benefit from that without ever raising the issue themselves, either directly or indirectly.

[tritsofme]

9. It seems like the type of story the media would be in love with.

Especially when it came time for McCain to select a running mate, I could see all sorts of speculation that the man McCain chooses for VP has a higher probability than most VP candidates of actually taking on the roll.

[rocktivity]

10. I'm more concerned about him going senile in office (like Reagan)

if he isn't already (like Bush).

At any rate, defeating him is as easy as running these pics:



:headbang:
rocknation

[liberalnurse]

11. I just saw his 90 something year old mother

on C-Span in an interview..........She looked like she was his sister! Jeepers, she shows no signs of taking a powder anytime before age 110!

Roberta McCain;

[Josh]

12. She's 95 -

I don't think his health is going to *legitimately* be an issue, but there will be whispers.

I'm still holding out for Romney to win the nomination and hand the Democrats the election! :)

[jzodda]

13. McCain will make jokes about his age, as he always does

If our side tries to make hay over his age in a serious manner it won't go over well at all. The seniors are the most dependable of voters and offend them and you could be in trouble. Making this a major issue would do just that. Its ageism at its worst and makes older people feel like they are not worth much. I don't even think its an issue. People do live longer and longer these days and he will have the best care in the world at his disposal to keep him healthy. 72 today is not even what 72 was 10 years ago with rapid advances in medicine.

People vote for who they like and I doubt such thoughts as "Will he die in office?" become a question as you are about to pull that lever. Not to sound cold but if he croaks, he croaks. Our system handles this type of stuff pretty well considering.

[never_get_over_it]

14. The candidates won't bring it up

but they might get swiftboaters to do it - just like the candidates wouldn't dare to bring up race/Muslim or gender but you can bet money on there will be repunk swiftboaters who will

Oh Jesus this is going to be SO UGLY and it is SUCH a long way to November....

And just so I can share my nightmare with you just imagine McCain gets the nomination as I suspect he will - and he wins the election as I also suspect he will - and he has picked Joe LIEberman as his running mate - we'd better all be praying for his continued good health if that is the case....

I have to go throw up now....

[bidenista]

17. oh no

I hadn't thought of that.

:cry:

[OHdem10]

15. Trying to use death even regarding the opposition is very

low.

Ihope we have Democrats who have more class than that.

Otherwise you might turn everyone over sixty into a Republican.

find other materials.

[tritsofme]

18. I wouldn't say that we should use his potential death as a campaign tool.

But I think it is irresponsible not too have that discussion when there is a good likelihood that the man may die of natural causes within four years.

A scenario that is far less likely for Obama and Hillary.

[JohnnyLib2]

16. Considering what I've been seeing on here, let alone elsewhere.....

it sure as hell will. Probably in the most vicious ways. :shrug:

[jzodda]

21. This place gets more nasty by the day

To be honest I have lost a lot of respect for this place over the past few weeks and its doubtful that will come back. If there is something nasty to be said it gets said here, and with increasing frequency. I used to think this was a place where we debated issues, now this place just hurls mostly insults. There is no respect for anybody or anything.

[JohnnyLib2]

22. I think there are a lot of more quiet souls here who speak up

infrequently. The "take no prisoners" noises tend to come from maybe 100 or so folks. Hope I'm right! :hi:

[old guy]

19. I would not expect the candidates to bring it up,

but it will be brought into play by someone. Depending on the VP choice, the RW noise machine may get behind it. Just saying.

[calico1]

20. Maybe its legitimate but it sure wouldn't be

smart. "Don't vote for McCain because he could die." No, not a good idea. I think his age is already being noticed anyway. I've had a few people make comments. I don't think the Democratic nominee needs to bring it up.