McCain's age: Out of Bounds or In Play?

[NewHampshireDem]

I guess this is something of a poll crossed with a strategy discussion ...

Should we attack McCain on the age issue?

Does doing so risk alienating elderly voters who, as we know, typically turn out in droves?

Is it in poor taste to do so and/or morally objectionable to you?

Please, jump in and post your thoughts!

[Cant trust em]

1. Out of bounds for Obama's campaign, but in bounds for MSM pundits.

It's a little bit of a low blow to be officially coming from democrats, but I think it's a fine thing to talk about for the media.

[walldude]

28. A low blow? He's used to stories about "illegitimate black babies"

and questions about his sanity because of his time in a POW camp. And that was from the Republicans. I think he can handle a little attack on his age...

[Occam Bandage]

2. It's in play. Certainly it's in play.

[dbmk]

27. Whew - good to hear

Didnt make these for nought then

[otohara]

3. I'd Hate To Be A College Age Republican

depressing visual of McCain & Obama standing on the same stage.

[DJ13]

4. Thats an issue best left up to the Dem supporting 527's

But yes, they should talk about it after Reagan's second term.

[stray cat]

5. Out of bounds directly - pouncing on mis-statements and stumblings, forgeting - absolutely

Age is fine. If he demonstrates effects of age that effect his ability to be president - thats another story.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

6. You can refer to Obama's relative youth and vigor without outright attacking McSame's age.

[RichardRay]

7. In play, but carefully.

My elderly mother brought this up a couple of months ago. She's only a few years older than McCain and knows she has times when it wouldn't be wise for her to be the President of the United States; hell, there are times when she knows it's not wise for her to try to fry an egg. But, she also warns that the question has to be raised carefully. I tend to believe her.

[NewHampshireDem]

8. Hmmm ... can people try to provide some examples, in the spirit of clarity

I'm not asking for you to give a specific example of something that's out of bounds, per se, but rather a specific of how it could be used, in your opinion.

For instance, I remember a lot of people making jokes about Regan having his finger on the button with the punch line 'And in my house, we don't let my grandfather touch the remote!' To me, that's fine ... it's a bit of gentle mockery, the kind that many self-deprecating older folks make about themselves (my grandparents, god rest their souls, always used to joke about not being able to work the VCR ... thank god for DVD players).

[depakid]

9. Mental state doesn't equal age

which, I might add- is a two edged sword, because a lot of people are also suspicious of the under 18-26 demographic.

Concerns about dementia are fair game- just as a thin resume and undistinguished 4 years in the Senate is.

[NewHampshireDem]

13. Good point

Perhaps our understanding of that has evolved in the 20 years (OMG, has it really been that long?!?!) since Regan was president.

Would there be ways, in your opinion, that age could be brought into play? For example, to suggest that by voting McCain for president you're really voting his VP for president? Again, realizing that you could attack head-on against the VP, but would this be an acceptable kind of come in from the side and stick it through the ribs attack?

[Hippo_Tron]

14. Nope, McCain will just note that his mother is still alive

McCain will make plenty of gaffes and we can attack him on those. The MSM can speculate on whether that is due to dementia or not.

[frickaline]

10. mental state is a better way to go

[David__77]

11. For Obama, out of bounds; for his supporters, not out of bounds.

Obama can wring his hands from the sidelines to appear gracious, but will benefit greatly from the work of others, as it should be.

[deadmessengers]

12. Leave his age alone, but...

We need to go VERY aggressively after his VP candidate, whomever that may be, and stress the "one heartbeat away" aspect of it.

This same dilemma applies to his health, as well - melanoma isn't the "simple" kind of skin cancer.

[hokies4ever]

15. No need for Obama to bring it up

But has to make sure that this narrative is played in MSM. Obama has not been drawing the senior vote, so he needs to tread carefully here. He could request McCain's physical be made public through a surrogate though. McCain did have skin cancer not too long ago.

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. New McCain Ad.... I'm not that old... meet my mom! No kidding

I say its game now, he just brought it into play.


McCain Ad: I'm Not That Old -- Meet My Mom!
By Eric Kleefeld - May 8, 2008, 5:24PM

John McCain has an interesting new ad aimed at women, featuring his mother reminiscing with him about his birth:

The spot is running on select cable channels, many with largely female audiences: ABC Family, A&E, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, Oxygen and TLC.


http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/mccain_ad_im_not_that_old_meet.php

[NewHampshireDem]

17. Interesting

IIRC, one of the 'defenses' of going after Kerry's military record was that he, himself, kept raising the issue. Maybe there's a window here if one wanted to chose that route.

[Ichingcarpenter]

23. He just made it an issue with this ad

Same as Kerry did using his honorable service in Nam.

McCain's 5 years in a POW camp, his injuries and wounds factor
into his age and health. His mother never experienced those years.

[WA98296]

18. Rather see them put his uncontrollable TEMPER into play - that IS important.

[Sparkly]

19. As with his Vietnam experience: whatever WORKS

I don't care about morality in this battle -- it's about our morality as a country, and the ends justify the means in my view.

Having said that, the considerations are indeed about alienating voters. Just saying, morals schmoral when it comes to determining what's helpful to a win.

[wileedog]

20. Obama's real 'weakness' is not white workers - its people over 65

I'd be careful here.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. The only thing that it is out of bounds is his status as a POW and veteran status

unless that is... he somehow makes that relevant.

After that... age... absolutely

[Asgaya Dihi]

22. Attack? No. Question, yes

Ageism isn't a lot better than any other type of prejudice so if he's clear medically we've got little to go after there except the possibility of death while in office.

We do have a right to ask for those medical records though and as far as I know he hasn't released much. We've got Alzheimer's and other conditions which become more common with age and which probably had an effect on the latter years of the Reagan presidency.

Depends a bit on how he plays it and what info we get. If he releases the records and is clean we keep it low keyed and simple, will he be there at the end of his term or not. If he doesn't release them and keeps having the problems remembering who stands for what which we've seen recently then it seems to become a more valid issue.

[bulloney]

24. WWRD?

What Would Rove Do?

Are you kidding? If the Democrats fielded a candidate as old as McCain, what do you think they'd do?

[globalvillage]

25. His crazy statements are being excused as 'senior moments'

If his age is going to be used as an excuse, then it shouldn't be ignored.
It's not an insult to the elderly to point out these things. It's fact that memory can deteriorate with age.
I think it's a legitimate factor and in-bounds.

[TexasObserver]

26. In Play! 71 is too old to be president.

It's more than just an age. It's a way of making sure our country is being run by those who are still young enough to connect with citizens under 40 years old.

[abburdlen]

29. Not directly

Even if he was mentally fit as a fiddle, the number of years he has under his belt aren't so much of the issue as the fact that his world view was shaped in the 50's.

[Patsy Stone]

30. In play

But you can't come right out and say he's old, you have to subtly show it -- over and over.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

31. The Constitution specifically mentions a minimum age. It's not a big stretch to also consider an

appropriate upper age "limit". It's a relevant issue and in play. Of course, taking advantage of the issue is another matter. Obama, should be very subtle about McSame's age. I think just having Obama standing next to grandpa almost says it all. McLame will probably end up showing everyone that his age is an issue. He's changed alot in the last 8 years.

[terrya]

32. It certainly is in play.

We have every right to bring up his age. He would be older than Reagan was if elected.

The Presidency is a demanding job. We voters have every right to expect the next President to be in good health, both physically and mentally. Remember, Reagan started showing the onsent of Alzheimer's during his Presidency.

This is an issue that should be brought up during the campaign. It's irresponsible not to bring it up.

[Bluerthanblue]

33. "sit down and shut up you little jerk" "you're drafted"

that is how he replied to a HS student here in NH who had the nerve to ask him if he ever worried about his age in relation to his presidential bid.

He can't avoid people worrying about his age. It is a fact that he is older than most people who seek the presidency-

peace~

[calimary]

34. EVERYTHING is in play. EVERYTHING. Yes we can, and yes we SHOULD attack him

on the EVERYTHING issue. It's how you deliver those attacks. There are attacks and there are attacks. There are gentle little questionings about it, and "expressions of concern," if you get my drift, and there are flat-out 2x4s smackin' him upside the head. And it's not a disservice or dishonor to elderly voters. Especially when it should be pointed out that - THEY don't have their fingers on "that" button. He would. And if he can't keep Sunnis and Shiites straight, what kind of solid judgment can we expect him to have on other matters - matters large and small?

It's HOW you do it. But it's far more important THAT you do it.

[Bucky]

35. Age? No. Faulty memory & general incompetance with important facts? Yes.

McCain's clearly a man with a tremendous amount of energy and physical stamina. His campaigning style makes it impossible to peg him as a dottering old man. So whatever else we do in this election, we should make it clear that his confusing Russia with the Soviet Union, Iran with Iraq, Shiites with Sunnis, and (Goddamn!) the UN with the frickin' League of Nations has nothing to do with age.

He's just really really forgetful, or at least sloppy with facts.

[whistler162]

36. Doesn't need to be overt....

just keep pointing out the inaccuracies in what Senator McCain says.



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http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/07/mccain-trafficking-taskforce/