Old Age and Presidential Candidates

[Jason]

A lot of people have criticized McCain's old age. Ron Paul is a year older.

Thoughts?

[clemsontigers23]

That's one reason why I think a person should take a close look at who the president's running mate is. In reality, we're electing a president and a man who could potentially become president in the event of the president not being able to lead the nation.

[Jason]

But the thing is that they usually don't announce a running mate until they've won their party's nomination.

[clemsontigers23]

But the thing is that they usually don't announce a running mate until they've won their party's nomination.

Well, yeah, I meant in the presidential election. ;)

[Jason]

So, (I'm not necessarily asking clemson), why should I vote for Ron Paul in my primary if he may die in office? I mean what if he chooses fellow old guy McCain as his running mate (highly unlikely I know)?


p.s. - clemson, what's your name?

[HotWireD]

Ronald Reagan was old when he was elected, he was also one of the greatest Presidents of the United States, in my opinion.

People live a long time and keep their mental faculties as well.

Although I am not American, and do not get to vote, I am interested in their policies more than their age.

I would be concerned if they started to lose their mental abilities during their term though.

[WeaselInYerFoot]

A lot of people have criticized McCain's old age. Ron Paul is a year older.

Thoughts?

I've never heard of anyone criticizing a candidates old age. I'd think it would be a plus, more than anything else. If they die, then oh well, what a way to go!

[Jason]

I've never heard of anyone criticizing a candidates old age. I'd think it would be a plus, more than anything else. If they die, then oh well, what a way to go!

You haven't? Wow. When McCain was exploring running, it seemed like every other article in the Arizona Republic criticized his age.

[Andi]

You haven't? Wow. When McCain was exploring running, it seemed like every other article in the Arizona Republic criticized his age.

The Arizona Republic must not be a fan of his. ;)


I have never thought about the age of any of the candidates.

I suppose it does not really matter with the bunch we have to choose from right now - none of them seem too old to me.

Now if Hilary was, say, 85 and running for President........well - I still wouldn't vote for her. :o

[clemsontigers23]

So, (I'm not necessarily asking clemson), why should I vote for Ron Paul in my primary if he may die in office? I mean what if he chooses fellow old guy McCain as his running mate (highly unlikely I know)?


p.s. - clemson, what's your name?

I'd rather not give out my first name, though I've done it a couple of times. My middle name is David, so you can call me that if you want. ;)

[Jason]

I'd rather not give out my first name, though I've done it a couple of times. My middle name is David, so you can call me that if you want. ;)

Cool. It's better than calling you clemsondude. :P

[Valpo]

clearly doesn't bother me...I support McCain

But I do remember hearing about the criticisms he got due to his age

[Jason]

I suppose it does not really matter with the bunch we have to choose from right now - none of them seem too old to me.


Both McCain and Paul are in their 70s and Paul looks frail to me.

[clemsontigers23]

Cool. It's better than calling you clemsondude. :P

Yeah, definitely. I was starting to feel like a stranger since everyone knew everybody's name except for mine. :P

[Andi]

Both McCain and Paul are in their 70s and Paul looks frail to me.

Frail?

I don't see that at all. He looks "weathered", but I really don't see frail.

Do you know if they have to post any kind of health information? Some kind of disclosure before running?

[Andi]

Yeah, definitely. I was starting to feel like a stranger since everyone knew everybody's name except for mine. :P

Cool! Put "Call me David" under your screen name instead of Board Member.

Not to be pushy really....though I am kinda....lol

I am just awful at names. ;)

[Jason]

Frail?

I don't see that at all. He looks "weathered", but I really don't see frail.

Do you know if they have to post any kind of health information? Some kind of disclosure before running?

I think they do after they win the party nomination. I'm not sure about before.

[clemsontigers23]

Cool! Put "Call me David" under your screen name instead of Board Member.

Not to be pushy really....though I am kinda....lol

I am just awful at names. ;)

I guess I could do that. ;)

[Andi]

I guess I could do that. ;)

Nice to meet you David. I am Andi. lol

[Andi]

I think they do after they win the party nomination. I'm not sure about before.

Google"ing" right now....

[maui sista]

IMHO, I like the idea of the next "man in charge" to have some age under his belt.
It's not like they are 100 and have one foot in the grave and the other on a banna peel (;

Sonja

[Andi]

^ too funny

I agree with you that I would rather a more "lived" person take the reins.

[WeaselInYerFoot]

Both McCain and Paul are in their 70s and Paul looks frail to me.

Hey may look like it, but he still rides bikes and does marathons. He probably works out more in a week than I do in a year! (That's not saying much though :D)

[middletree]

Maui "call me sonja" sista posted what I was gonna post. Lots of world leaders, including some kings of Israel in the OT, have been very old. Our culture is one of the few that doesn't look to the elderly for wisdom. It's our loss.

As a sidenote, I remember in 1988 when Quayle was criticized for being too young to be VP. In fact, in a debate with the other VP candidate, Lloyd Bentsen, someone mentioned age, and Quayle delivered what was obviously a prepared answer. He pointed out that he was currently more experienced in public service than than JFK was. He was careful to call him "Jack" Kennedy, a name used by JFK's friends.

Bensten had clearly anticipated the JFK comparison. You could see him light up as soon as "Jack Kennedy" left Quayle's mouth. He retorted with one of the most famous lines in TV debate history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCWbFFRpnY

[Valpo]

Maui "call me sonja" sista posted what I was gonna post. Lots of world leaders, including some kings of Israel in the OT, have been very old. Our culture is one of the few that doesn't look to the elderly for wisdom. It's our loss.

As a sidenote, I remember in 1988 when Quayle was criticized for being too young to be VP. In fact, in a debate with the other VP candidate, Lloyd Bentsen, someone mentioned age, and Quayle delivered what was obviously a prepared answer. He pointed out that he was currently more experienced in public service than than JFK was. He was careful to call him "Jack" Kennedy, a name used by JFK's friends.

Bensten had clearly anticipated the JFK comparison. You could see him light up as soon as "Jack Kennedy" left Quayle's mouth. He retorted with one of the most famous lines in TV debate history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCWbFFRpnY

hahah, too funny "That was uncalled for, Senator." Great response Dan

I'm still partial to Reagan's "I'm paying for this microphone" line though.

[mat1583]

Both McCain and Paul are in their 70s and Paul looks frail to me.

Just about anybody his age on a strong campaign trail such as his is going to get a little tired or worn out. If you've watched his coverage though, Ron Paul has had much more fire and energy in his answers at debates and in speeches at rallies than McCain ever has. In fact if you compare Ron Paul to his earlier days (in the 1980's when he ran as a Libertarian), I'd say he has nearly the same energy at that time...which is really amazing.

To answer the question before that - the issues are the highest priority for me when it comes down to selecting a candidate. Age and 'electability' are among my lowest priorities.

by the way, here's a very cheery Ron Paul wishing you Season's Greetings :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZPCWGtIupE - doesn't look frail at all!

-washboard

[Jake]

I'll be honest, and it may be because I'm 20 years old and a first time voter, but age is my MAIN turn off on Ron Paul, and a key one on McCain.

[maui sista]

I'll be honest, and it may be because I'm 20 years old and a first time voter, but age is my MAIN turn off on Ron Paul, and a key one on McCain.

I am sorry but I am not getting your statement, A key one what?

Ron Paul was born on Aug 20, 1935 and Mccain was born on Aug 29, 1936,
are you saying you are turned off by both of them because they are "old"?
Maybe I don't think 70 is that old because I have had teachers that are 70 and know people at my church that are 70ish and they go to my gym.
I just don't see Ron ar John keeling over in the next 4 or 8 years, but who's to say.

Sonja
p.S.
What about the pope...now thats old!!!

[Valpo]

I'll be honest, and it may be because I'm 20 years old and a first time voter, but age is my MAIN turn off on Ron Paul, and a key one on McCain.

I am also 20, but an avid supporter of John McCain and Washboard is 24 and an avid supporter of Ron Paul.

[Jake]

I am sorry but I am not getting your statement, A key one what?

Ron Paul was born on Aug 20, 1935 and Mccain was born on Aug 29, 1936,
are you saying you are turned off by both of them because they are "old"?
Maybe I don't think 70 is that old because I have had teachers that are 70 and know people at my church that are 70ish and they go to my gym.
I just don't see Ron ar John keeling over in the next 4 or 8 years, but who's to say.

Sonja
p.S.
What about the pope...now thats old!!!

Yea, "a key one" was meant as a turn off to me as a voter. Sorry that wasn't more clear.

I know many people who are in their 70's as well, and I don't like the idea of someone in that age range leading my country. I could easily see either one of them dying in office.

And Valpo, I had no idea that we were the same age, but that is neither here nor there.

Having said that, I was just saying that I could see it as a possibility that my age could play a part in my not supporting these two candidates.

I think putting someone of the geriatric generation in the White House is a very bad mistake.

[mat1583]

Yea, "a key one" was meant as a turn off to me as a voter. Sorry that wasn't more clear.

I know many people who are in their 70's as well, and I don't like the idea of someone in that age range leading my country. I could easily see either one of them dying in office.



As someone mentioned earlier, Reagan was 69 when he was elected, only 3 years younger than Paul. Reagan was one of the best presidents we've ever had. Good thing he wasn't overlooked because of age. The youngest President to die in office was only 46 years. Yes, I know it was by assassination...but that still counts as dying in office. Of the 8 presidents that died in office, all but one were under 60 - 4 of those were assassinated.

-washboard

[Pixie Wildflower]

The average lifespan is more now, I think perhaps maybe we should redefine what is old. But we have much younger people who drop dead of heart attacks, plus anyone can have an accident. Any president could potentially die. Hopefully, when they pick a running mate, it would someone who would carry on the same policies that the majority voted for. So age wouldn't be a factor in voting, unless the person was showing signs of senility and these days, those kinds of problems are coming on a person later and later.

[middletree]

4 of those were assassinated.


Yes, but can you name them? Without looking it up?

Note: Some think that Warren G Harding was poisoned by his wife, so we might have 5 assassinations.

[mat1583]

Yes, but can you name them? Without looking it up?

Note: Some think that Warren G Harding was poisoned by his wife, so we might have 5 assassinations.

Well since I looked this up to begin with, I already know them...but I was able to name Lincoln, Kennedy, and Garfield before I looked it up. I didn't know about McKinley, and I knew about the poison thing with Harding. I also could recall that attempts were made on Reagan, Ford, and Roosevelt.

-washboard

edit:

I also forgot to mention that Ron Paul is a Dr. I know it doesn't necessarily mean that he is the healthiest candidate, but I think it does give a little weight knowing that he knows how to live a healthy life.

[HotWireD]

Now if Hilary was, say, 85 and running for President........well - I still wouldn't vote for her. :o

Laughs out loud, I am just glad I was not drinking or eating at the time. :D

[rossid]

My Wednesday night teacher at church is a McCain supporter...