September 6th, 2008
Is McCain Too Old To Be President?
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[1] (1-4 of 4)
Boomer- Last Online: Aug 29 2008
Hot Item
Is McCain Too Old To Be President?
It's been simmering under the surface for months. Much has been written about the historic campaigns of the first serious African-American and female presidential candidates, and now, thanks to the comments of a high-profile member of Congress, the attention is probably about to shift to another historic candidacy -- that of 71-year-old John McCain.
Democrat John Murtha of Pennsylvania says McCain, who is four years younger than Murtha, is too old to be president.
"I've served with seven presidents," Murtha told a union audience this week. "When they come in, they all make mistakes. They all get older. This one guy running is about as old as me. Let me tell you something, it's no old man's job."
If McCain is elected, he will take the oath of office at 72 years of age, three years older than President Ronald Reagan was when he was elected.
What do you think? Is Murtha right that the most powerful position in the world is a job for a younger person? Or, will McCain's life experience be a huge benefit? Is McCain just Growing Bolder? And are these comments just another example of ageism that plagues our society?
Weigh in!
Democrat John Murtha of Pennsylvania says McCain, who is four years younger than Murtha, is too old to be president.
"I've served with seven presidents," Murtha told a union audience this week. "When they come in, they all make mistakes. They all get older. This one guy running is about as old as me. Let me tell you something, it's no old man's job."
If McCain is elected, he will take the oath of office at 72 years of age, three years older than President Ronald Reagan was when he was elected.
What do you think? Is Murtha right that the most powerful position in the world is a job for a younger person? Or, will McCain's life experience be a huge benefit? Is McCain just Growing Bolder? And are these comments just another example of ageism that plagues our society?
Weigh in!
Shutterbug- Last Online: May 09 2008
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Are you KIDDING? You actually have the NERVE to ask that on THIS site? Why don't you just take a look around Growing Bolder. Click on the story of the Banana George guy barefoot waterskiing. Click on the video of the couple that runs triathlons together. Click on the radio page and listen to the 106 year old guy who still goes bowling, or the GM Vice President who retired but came back, or the 97 year old lady who decided to move to Hollywood and be an actress. This wonderful web site is the only answer John McCain needs. If he's smart, he'll answer that question by telling everyone to just go look at growingbolder.com and see for themselves. Too Old??? How DARE You!!!
Jackie Carlin- Last Online: Sep 06 2008
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Amen to that, Shutterbug! You're right about how much the face of aging has changed. The reason we're even asking the question on the site is for the exact reasons you bring up in your reply -- it's time everyone starts Growing Bolder!
Here's a question for all of you Bolders -- why do you think people can even still bring up a person's age as a negative? Our society has made tremendous strides in abolishing the ideas that people "can't" do things because of their race or gender. So, why do people like Murtha still think they can get away with pointing out a person's age as a negative? And for everyone who hasn't been introduced to the inspirational and butt-kicking examples of today's Boomers on our site, do you think questions about McCain's age will hurt him in the race?
Jackie
GB.com Staff Member
Here's a question for all of you Bolders -- why do you think people can even still bring up a person's age as a negative? Our society has made tremendous strides in abolishing the ideas that people "can't" do things because of their race or gender. So, why do people like Murtha still think they can get away with pointing out a person's age as a negative? And for everyone who hasn't been introduced to the inspirational and butt-kicking examples of today's Boomers on our site, do you think questions about McCain's age will hurt him in the race?
Jackie
GB.com Staff Member
Stone- Last Online: Sep 06 2008
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We all remember Ronald Reagan, & how he answered when tasked about the bad/illegal things done by his administration... "I don't remember".
I didn't believe him at the time, but other information eventually came to light that made it seem possible.
Let's look at things as they are, come out of that river in Egypt. Bad things happen to us as we age. Our memories don't work as effectively as they once did, we can no longer hold as many variables in our thoughts as we once could, this makes finding the elegant solution less likely, & increases the likelihood of our rushing into something, where waiting would have been better.
Would McCain make a good president? I don't know. Is his age a potential problem? Absolutely.
I didn't believe him at the time, but other information eventually came to light that made it seem possible.
Let's look at things as they are, come out of that river in Egypt. Bad things happen to us as we age. Our memories don't work as effectively as they once did, we can no longer hold as many variables in our thoughts as we once could, this makes finding the elegant solution less likely, & increases the likelihood of our rushing into something, where waiting would have been better.
Would McCain make a good president? I don't know. Is his age a potential problem? Absolutely.