Race, gender—they're both up for grabs in this presidential election. It's age that has become the new taboo in a vitality culture.
Comment: Benjamin Franklin was 70 when he and 4 others started drafting the The Declaration of Independence.
Comment: It isn't his age that bothers me, although he too old to be President, it is his determination to followed George Bush and continue the war in Iraq. Americans are not stupid. McCain can say anything, after all this is election year. However, most everyone is desperate for a better economy, an afforable healthcare system, attention to global warming, and afforable education for our children. McCain reminds me of our neighbors parrot. Everything Obama says, McCain repeats, and repeats, and repeats, like it was his idea. I have a grandfather like that. Maybe the age thing is more important than we think.
Comment: Much too old for me. I like the young guy he's smart, new ideas, handsome, tall, nice tan too. When I look at McCain I see a tired old wrinkled man who needs to retire.
Comment: Quindlen usually has sensible ideas, but this whole age thing is just a smoke screen for not wanting McCain. I can understand not wanting McCain because of policy, beliefs and things like that, but the age in McCain's case is irrelevant. 71 is often too old, I'm sure, but I don't believe it is in his case.
Comment: WHEN THE PHONE RINGS AT 3 AM , I DON'T THINK MCCAIN WILL BE ABLE TO GET UP WITHOUT A GOOD NIGHTS REST.. I LIKE THE GUY, I DISAGREE WITH HIM ON MANY ISSUES BUT HE SAYS WHAT HE BELIEVES , I JUST THINK HE IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE NEEDS OF THE NATION, AND WE DONT NEED SOME STUBBORN OLD GUY DOING WHAT HE THINKS IS RIGHT, THATS JUST WRONG.
HI AGE IS A BIG PROBLEM, WE NEED A YOUNGER MORE ENERGIZED LEADER.
Comment: McCain's mother is 95. That's great but he doesn't mention that his grandfather died at age 61 and his father died at age 70. He has already outlived them. He is too old.
Comment: Wanna add years to your complexion? Become president, and let the before and after photos speak for themselves. The presidency is a stressful job -- for anyone, of any age. . . especially our presidency. Unfortunately, McCain is 71, had a tenacious type of cancer, which may or may not be in remission and is exacerbated by stress. And, as a certified rehabilitation counselor, who specializes in assessing abilities, disabilities, aptitudes, and making professional career recommendations ??? I couldn???t recommend McCain for president without first OBJECTVIVELY addressing and considering the probability of a stress induced cancer relapse and McCain???s ability to survive it.
Comment: Wanna add years to your complexion? Become president , and let the before and after photos speak for themselves. The presidency is a stressful job -- for anyone, of any age. . . especially our presidency. Unfortunately, McCain is 71, had a tenacious type of cancer, which may or may not be in remission and is stress exacerbated by stress. And, as a certified rehabilitation counselor, who specializes in assessing abilities, disabilities, aptitudes, etc. and making professional career recommendations ??? I couldn???t recommend McCain for president without first OBJECTVIVELY addressing and considering the probability of a stress induced cancer relapse and McCain???s ability to survive it .
Comment: There was a time when a gray head of hair was considered distinguished and wisdom the prize of a long life. But in our image obsessed culture, smooth skin and physical vitality have taken first place over good judgement. And look at the result: we're all style and no substance. Sure, the job of president is a tough one. But is it really that much harder than scraping and clawing like so many Americans do on a daily basis just to get by? I don't need the next president to be able to skip up a set of stairs or eagerly comb his hair like a teenager, I just need him to make good decisions--young or old. If the stairs are too hard he can take the elevator.
Comment: There was a time when a gray head of hair was considered distinguished and wisdom the prize of a long life. But in our image obsessed culture, smooth skin and physical vitality have taken first place over good judgment. And look at the result: we're all style and no substance. Sure, the job of president is a tough one. But is it really that much harder than scraping and clawing like so many Americans do on a daily basis just to get by? I don't need the next president to be able to skip up a set of stairs or eagerly comb his hair like a teenager, I just need him to make good decisions--young or old. If the stairs are too hard he can take the elevator.
Comment: Age is a factor. As the Republicans fall over themselves to praise Ronald Reagan, they fail to mention that in his last term he had Alzheimer's Disease. It should not be taboo to discuss this possibility. It was in his second term that much of the scandal occurred. Is this what we would look forward to under John McCain? There are already several topics he has told us he knows nothering about, inlcuding the economny. Oouch.
Comment: I believe there is a correlation to age and competency and it should be a consideration to those casting a vote in November, especially when one considers the stressors faced by the occupant of the White House. The president should be fit, he or she should have all his or her faculties. That's why I'm casting my vote for Barack Obama, who, like me, is 46--the prime of life.
Comment: oh my gosh, I am so worried about this guy becoming a leader of anything! While watching the debate I realized how very unprofessional he is- that smirk on his face- I wanted to slap him. He 'is' too old to be our president. The stress of this job is simply too great. I don't care if he is a vet- or that he was held as a prisoner of war. That is not a good reason to vote him in as President. SImply put, his mind isn't up to the task. If he ever acted as simple minded as he did during the last debates our country would be in bigger trouble that it is right now. As a Republican, I am sad to say that I will be voting Democrat for the first time in over 25 years. Huckabee is no better able to run this country and since Romney pulled out, I have no other choices.
Comment: The fact that a 71-year old would think that he is qualified to be president of the US is evidence of diminished mental capacity in itself. The biggest problem is that he brings nothing to the table to make up for the age handicap. Meaning that it would be different if he had a high IQ. But he comes across as someone who is no smarter than George Bush junior. In my opinion, the people who voted for Bush junior the second time, after witnessing his incompetence for four years, should have their voting rights revoked. That is the only way to keep them from finishing off the US by turning it over to McCain. It should be illegal for people with average intelligence to run for president, because the majority of voters are too dumb to realize that it takes a really smart person to do the job effectively. Eight years of Bush junior doing nothing but screwing things up did not make an impression on them. Now they're ready to give the job to someone who is equivalent to Bush. Unbelievable. With so many dumb voters, the US is doomed.
Comment: The fact that a 71-year old would think that he is qualified to be president of the US is evidence of diminished mental capacity in itself. The biggest problem is that he brings nothing to the table to make up for the age handicap. Meaning that it would be different if he had a high IQ. But he comes across as someone who is no smarter than George Bush junior. In my opinion, the people who voted for Bush junior the second time, after witnessing his incompetence for four years, should have their voting rights revoked. That is the only way to keep them from finishing off the US by turning it over to McCain. It should be illegal for people with average intelligence to run for president, because the majority of voters are too dumb to realize that it takes a really smart person to do the job effectively. Eight years of Bush junior doing nothing but screwing things up did not make an impression on them. Now they're ready to give the job to someone who is equivalent to Bush. Unbelievable. With so many dumb voters, the US is doomed.
Comment: well, i dont know about all that. people can maintain their vitality and energy all the years of their life if they want to. a number means nothing. its how you take care of yourself, your attitude, and what motivates you. if you let yourself go because you dont care anymore, then of course you will dwindle and fade away. you dont have to have major years to do that. either you are a winner or you are a loser. i think john mccain is a winner.
Comment: This is a shameful article by Anna Quindlen. You know if the Democratic candidate happened to be as old as John McCain she would be speaking out against ageism. Instead she stoops to this sort of unfair and discriminatory attack.
Part of being a good progressive means looking at yourself for evidence of bias. Shamefully, Ms. Quindlen appears to have abandoned that aspect which is so essential to being a better person.
Comment: Ann Coulter, one for the most militant fear mongering republicans that exists today swore recently she would rather vote for Hillary Clinton than John Mccain. This is an exciting time for the growing majority of decent people left in this country possibly one for the biggest turning points in the history of US politics, I can feel the storm brewing now as we get closer to crunch time the entire grizzled old republican party is now being forced to choose between a democratic pandering weeny and a high and mighty rich mormon, this has to be their worst nightmare. I can't wait to start watching smoke come out the ears of the old republican guard as they watch their party taken over by the enemy. haha!
Comment: I'm just baffled by the absolute determination shown by these creaky old barnacles that just absolutely refuse to realize their time has passed, its not even funny how disconnected they are, imagine watching mccain try to figure out an iphone, or connect to a wireless network, these guys are DONE! The ship has sailed the world has changed theres no more communists. Even thought they try to convince themselfs that there is this looming enemy, there isn't, its mearly a bunch of angry middleasterners that have ALWAYS hated us, that has never changed. These guys have no idea what this world is about any more they still think its the 70's and we need to march around the globe looking for the bad guys, THERE ARE NO MORE BAD GUYS, we are the bad guys now, we are the joke of the planet. For god sakes get somebody new in there
Comment: If it wasn't so frightening, the naivete you and others on the left exhibit would be laughable. Believing that there are "no more bad guys," is almost as ignorant as mispelling merely in your post.
Comment: Though this argument was cleverly crafted, the underlying purpose is so very transparent. I have read enough of Ms. Quindlen's material to know that this piece is a product of her fear that McCain will thump Hillary in the fall.
The claim that age has been a taboo subject in the primary race, while race and gender are openly discussed is laughable. What would Quindlen's reaction be to anyone considering Clinton's gender or Obama's race as disqualifying characteristics in the same way, she calls Senator McCain's age into question?
I think it is John McCain's appeal to independant and moderate voters, not his age that scares the daylights out of Ms. Quindlen.
Comment: I think that at this point in the race, a democrat will definitely take the presidency. First of all, President Bush has done so much damage, that many undecided and Republican voters are turning to the Democratic nominees. Also, Hilary and Obama have simply been getting more press coverage. Have you seen time lately? The republicans are hardly mentioned. I don't think any of the Republican candidates are even a significant threat to Obama or Hilary, seeing as Romney dropped out, Huckabee doesn't appeal to a wide enough spectrum of voters, and yes, McCain is too old to run. He would the THE OLDEST PRESIDENT IN ALL OF HISTORY.
The race is between Obama and Hilary; it doesn't take a genius to figure that out. After all, I am a junior in high school.
Comment: very well said
www.begup.com
Comment: When you have to keep a young wife by your side, all of the time,. your to old.
Comment: Presidents definately age in dog years. Bush looks like he's been run over by a truck. I guess that's what happens when you have to run a bogus war.
If age is an issue, it's for the voters to decide. Certainly not to have a age after which you can't run.
You obviously are for Hillary. Do you ever cringe when you write these columns bashing the other candidates to try to sway our opinion? I feel like I'm in a church and the preacher is telling me if I don't vote for the pro-life candidate I'm going to hell.
www.begup.com
Comment: Whoa, I' 64 and I still HATE climbing stairs...I merely run up and down them, JUST to get it over with...oops, I ended a sentence in a preposition...there goes MY credibility!!
Comment: A mean and iditioc column by Ms. Quindlan. The reason he walks stairs slowly and can't lift his arms to comb his hair is BECAUSE of the fact that McCain was beaten as a POW. She treats these facts as evidence of his age.
She worries about this claptrap, while Clintons are pulling an end run around the Constitution's 2-term limit.
Comment: Ms. Quindlan, you have greatly disappointed me. I have admired your writing. You sure killed that today with the idiotic remark about John McCain's age. His body may have been beaten, but you can bet his mind is a whole lot sharper than yours. He understands the times and what this country needs, a trait sadly lacking in the other candidates. I am a 72 year-old substitute teacher and don't plan on retiring until I can't move. Do the math! If 50 is the new 35, then 70 is the new 55. Do the math!!! How old are you, by the way?
Comment: The last thing we need in this country is another confused disconnected old guy from the vietnam era making decisions about how we should guide this country into the future. Guys like mccain and bush are always trying to figure out how to go backwards rather than forwards i.e. the last 8 years.... We have to have a young progressive thinker, i'm sick of wars, stop with the warring you freakin' old people, us young people have found better things to do with our time, like solve the problems you old idiots keep creating. WE DON'T CARE YOU WERE IN VIETNAM. What the hell does anything have to do with vietnam man! -Lebowski
Comment: Are there not certain jobs that because of the task there is a maximum age limit? I think pilots have a max, and then they lose their licenses. I understand past a certain age you can't rent cars (I got an earful of that from my Dad when he got to that age). Certainly when I see some of those old stuff-shirted jackasses in the Senate it makes a compelling argument for age restrictions.
On the other hand, the President receives pretty good medical attention, and has a staff so I think that if he/she were to lose their capacity someone would pull them -- there is a constitution process for it. And honestly a senile John McCain is still probably twice the President that George W. Bush is on W's best day ever. Even less risk if he does not have Dick Cheney as his VP. I feel reasonable safe -- not that I would vote for McCain -- his politics stink. A better reason I think.
Comment: Age should be very important to the American people. Ronald Reagan was clueless in his second term. Look at some of the secondary video of him and you cannot disagree. We cannot risk that again by choosing the elderly to run our country. We need to vote for President not the Vice President who will advance to the office when number 1 passes.
Comment: You're too old to be writing articles, Quindlen.
Comment: AMEN
Comment: renvent: Really? you are worried about another Monica? How is it you guys can gloss over the litany of criminal acts against the people by names that in the future will conjure up a period of political crime unseen before in our history: Cheney, Rove, Starr, Rice, Bush etc etc? Now there's some damage.
Comment: OH PLEASE, You Liberals .... a broken record!! 9/11 was Criminal !! All the planning,etc. happened right here in America while Billy was busy in the Oral Office!
Billy was also too busy going after Microsoft, an American company "creating" Jobs; than to keep Americans Safe!! Of course WHY would any democrat worry about Jobs, most of you don't work anyway!
Republicans are the parents who are supporting the children democrats with our tax dollars!! A simple Thank You will suffice!!!
Comment: Um....really? You mean Bill Clinton was the one ignoring the FBI reports in AUGUST 2001 that said "Al Queda Determined to Strike U.S. using Airliners" because he was busy looking for an excuse to settle a family grudge with a small time con man posing as the leader of Iraq?
Oh, and I just happen to be a liberal that paid over $100k in taxes last year and who runs a business that has created over 400 jobs -- I'm proud to be a liberal -- we have open minds. You might want to look into that and quit just listening to what your hate-radio / "Christian" handlers tell you to do.
Who would Jesus waterboard? Hmm?
Comment: Well, Mr. Blowhard, I don't think Billy was anywhere near the W.H. when UBL was offered up to us, either...AND i don't think that little "gem" you offered on the FBI was anywhere NEAR the W. H. either...How could it have been? The FBI wasn't sharing then and they SURE don't share much now...But, if they want to "learn" how to play nice, well, just hav'em watch Hill and Billary...now there's a couple who can REALLY "play you"...!
Comment: Hey wiseone...remember who CREATED UBL in the first place? Clinton? No, sorry, that would be Reagan & Bush 1. Ditto for Saddam, Noriega, etc...it's kind of excusable, because back then our banana/oil republic strongmen were much cheaper proxies to take on the Soviet's proxies than actually put our soldiers in harm's way, but our cutting them lose and pretending we didn't know them after the fact made 'em a bit antsy. Please do study history -- it's awfully illuminating, with the emphasis on the "awful" -- don't get me wrong, I'm NO fan of the Clintons, but what Bush & co. have wrought is without precedent, at least in U.S. history.
Comment: Wow, A demy who is employed and pays taxes! You might qualify to ask Billary a "planted" question, maybe one that would lead Billary to tears... Too bad the world leaders won't be privy to these type of questions when asking our next President about real life situations! That require real Answers!!
On Ignoring the report in August 2001? Proof?? Just more Liberal B.S. Yes, I'm sure the N.Y. Times has documentation. Maybe Quindlen has proof or Coyote Blitzer.
The Clinton corruption makes Nixon look like a boyscout!
But, congrats on being an employed Demy - you represent about 1 % of your party. But, come on now you don't expect me to believe that you are also in the 1 % of your party that believes in Jesus?
You know I could handle Obama as President; but America must NEVER again allow a Clinton into the White House! NEVER NEVER NEVER
Comment: Hey, I don't think Hillary should be president either, and while I'm not a Christian, I subscribe to the actual, New Testament values espoused by Christ. I have to say, I think he was a liberal too. Sorry :-)
Anyhow...the August 2001 thing was from Bush's FBI...it's part of the 9/11 report. They just gave the pilot who reported (sorry -- his name escapes me) the guy who was paying for flight training in cash as was later convicted as the '20th hijacker' a $5 MILLION reward for TRYING to warn the government.
Bill was corrupt along with the Mrs., but he DID balance the budget and Bush 1 & 2 and Saint Ronnie before them have plunged us into a possibly inescapable debt. That's not liberal fiction -- it's from the White House OMB.
Bottom line -- MOST of the people I know are liberals, hold good jobs, pay taxes, and are well educated, considerate people who take the time to really look into the issues...hence their being open-minded and, ahem, liberal (by definition). Iraq is a sideshow, Iran is much more a threat, but a very well contained one (as was Iraq). North Korea can barely feed itself. Worry a whole lot more about China and some of the rouge ex-Soviet folks. Worry more about our own debt (it IS a problem and growing -- I'm a fiscally conservative liberal -- UNLIKE Bush, Reagan, etc...they give lower taxes only by borrowing against our future...they've taken out a nearly 10 TRILLION DOLLAR home equity loan with the U.S. treasury as collateral to the Chinese. Doesn't that bother you just one little bit?
No more Republicans, sorry, even if that means Hillary...the long term damage the last 3 Republican presidents have done to this nation will be revealed in time and it will sicken those of you who will still admit by then that you supported them. You talk about facts -- check 'em out. A little land rip off and philandering by the Clintons ain't even a speck compared to the REAL damage done. Like I said, I HAVE done the research and not just listened to either side. Look into it. It'll shock you to your core.
Peace in '08
Comment: I agree with you, that yes Jesus surely demonstrated some great moral values, that I (not a conservative, way right Christian) try to emulate. I want to see aid given to the poor and I esp. want a higher empasis placed on education, which I believe would help many to rise above their situations and help to end the ignorance and prejudice on so many fronts!
I was a young when JFK was assassinated, but grew up admiring his basic fundamentals. "Ask not what your country can do for you; but what you can do for your country."
Like you I have my own business, I made the sacrifices for higher education, to support myself as did my wife who is a Doctor.
A couple of things lead me away from the democratic party ideals when the time came for me to cast my first vote! Carter's handling of the Iran Hostage Crisis, and the poor morale of the MIlitary at that time. Reagan promised hope and change; I felt it was the only option to getting back any kind of military strength! I am not a war monger, but you must be able to protect your own country effectively! I admire President Carter's efforts after leaving office, and have read many of his books!
I am also disenchanted w/ the democrats as they look at the wealthy as the villians. We are to be taxed more and more, while able bodied individuals exploit the systems put in place to help those who fall on hard times. Welfare/ unemployment, etc. were not meant to be a "way of life" for generations of families! And I believe the Gov't should not Lie to these people, as they will never get ahead by relying on these handouts!!! All in the name of Votes!
I wish there were just candidates who stated their opinions and "how" they would make changes, etc. to the many complex problems that we face today!! Then some accountability!! Similar to the British.
Neither party is doing Americans any favors. Filibusters, in place of compromise. Voting against what is best for America, just to uphold party lines.
This started out as an exercise to express my disappointment in slanted news repoting. I have enjoyed this debate; you are obviously well educated and well read!! I appreciate your opinions as well!
If you are ever on youtube, I'd enjoy an occasional chat about the real issues our Country faces, on a non public forum! My user name is the same : renvent.
Take Care, and may America continue to be Blessed with the Freedom of Speech and Choices!!
Comment: Well said. It would be nice if those of us with more, ah, "blended" opinions on things economic, educational, spiritual, etc. could find candidates who we could truly support instead of always having to choose from whichever lesser of two evils seems to be slightly more of a like mind to ours....and even then, who really knows until they assume power.
Education, as you say, is absolutely the key. Welfare was meant as a *very* temporary measure to ensure that people didn't die, not as a way of life, and yes, I am ticked off that my taxes support too many who will not work. JFK, RFK, MLK were seemingly the last great orators of the American political system (Obama's not bad, but a poor shadow really of those three)...I really think that Carter, and probably Bush 1, were much more a victim of their times than anything else...Carter clearly underestimated the capacity of evil in the world, just as, I think, Bush 2 underestimated what he was biting off in Iraq without a post-Saddam tactical plan in place.
Anyway...I too hate the slanted news reporting. It's devolved to the point where there's far more money in punditry than in straight up reporting, and the 24/7 news cycles has led to "news" being fed to us even when there isn't any.
I think that, in this election cycle, some of the most 'fringe' candidates on both sides (Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Mike Huckabee, and Al Gore [though not really a candidate] made some of the more compelling and/or interesting arguments in the debates...the 'mainstream' folks on both sides are more afraid of losing than they are enamored of winning for the right reasons)....I guarantee you that whoever wins this election (and the next 4 or 5) will mostly be spending their time trying to figure out how to help America survive it's internal and external economic threats...even with an overtaxed military we still have the strategic power and capacity to overwhelm any real threats to our way of life......9/11 sucked, but taken outside its emotional context of our own vulnerability on our own soil, it's wasn't even a nick in our global hegemony of power....we really DO need to be thinking clearly about the Chinese and ex-Soviet states though...THEY do have the power to threaten us.
Alright....it's late, but thanks for the debate. Nice to have one :-)
Comment: It's not a kind reality but then there is really isn't any other type. Unless of course, you serve in the Bush administration. McCain is running out of time when this will become a concern that his political campaign will not be able to gloss over. He's not even in the middle of a general election and he already looks exhausted. Along with the problems, enormous problems, he will have bringing th multiple factions of his party together in support of his effort, convincing voters that he is physically up to the task will be even more of a task. The bottom line is that he does not portray that no matter how much he states his vitality.
Comment: It's not a kind reality but then there is really isn't any other type. Unless of course, you serve in the Bush administration. McCain is running out of time when this will become a concern that his political campaign will not be able to gloss over. He's not even in the middle of a general election and he already looks exhausted. Along with the problems, enormous problems, he will have bringing th multiple factions of his party together in support of his effort, convincing voters that he is physically up to the task will be even more of a task. The bottom line is that he does not portray that no matter how much he states his vitality.
Comment: Real nice, Anna. You should be ashamed of yourself. The fact is that most people would not be up for the job of President of the United States, regardless of their age. McCain is a patriot. I plan on voting for him.
Comment: Anna Quindlen has been the top campaigner for Billary for soooooo long; THAT IS WHAT IS GETTING OLD!!!!! She must surely be on top of the Frequent Flyer list for the Lincoln bedroom! (God forbid she gets elected) Say hello to Monica.
Newsweek sponsorship of the democratic party!
Comment: For me, it's not his age but his acerbic personality and his middle-of-the road political philosophy that I find unsuitable for the White House. I mean is there a Senate Democrat out there he has not joined with to pass some kind of liberal legislation?
Comment: I used to wonder why Reagan delegated so much and took so many vacations, but I guess that's one way to endure through the eight years of the presidency, expecially for an elderly president. By the way, I just turned 62 (18 for the 45th time), and I swim two miles every day in one hour.
Comment: If medical science, or possibly voodoo, has been able to keep Dick Cheney functioning through two terms as Veep, McCain should have no problem fulfilling the duties of the Presidency on basis of his age or physical condition. Whether or not he's suited for the job on grounds of his issue positions, well, that's up to the voters.
Comment: If medical science, or possibly voodoo, has been able to keep Dick Cheney functioning through two terms as Veep, McCain should have no problem fulfilling the duties of the Presidency on basis of his age or physical condition. Whether or not he's suited for the job on grounds of his issue positions, well, that's up to the voters.
Comment: I've seen McCain on the campaign trail, and am seeing occasional mis-statements that look like early Alzheimers. Intellectually, he seems shallow. Remind you of anyone? Can't figure out the "vision" thing". Drifting aimlessly on platitudes and Reagan's 25-year old playbook.
We can do better! We have to do better!
Comment: McCain is, in general, a good guy I think. He's definitely kow towed to the right wing nut jobs for the past eight years, but then so have a lot of folks. Unfortunately, the bottom line is that he's a Republican, and it should be a cold day in hell before we let a Republican run this country again. Those of you who are fans of the nearly-sainted Ronald Reagan and the shrubs should take a long, cold, hard look at the financial hole your party has dug this country into -- this is a boring topic to most folks, but it's FAR more scary than Iraq, Iran, or Al Queda if you start peeling away the layers and seeing what it means for our future. GOP = fear, debt, bigotry, war, and lies. Sure, the Dems have some real peaches as well, but they're going to be the lesser of two evils for a long time to come for those who really are paying attention.
Comment: Hillary a lesser evil? Is that possible?
Comment: comment:
Mc Cain + old washington ideals = too old
Obama + still old washington ideals = too old
Clinton + old washington ideals + living with Bill + WAY TOO OLD
US Media + inside Washingon culture + afraid to branch out = OLD NEWS
Come on...lets bolt out and get some new blood in there to clean up the good ole' boys club.
Comment: Mc Cain + old washington ideals = too old
Obama + still old washington ideals = too old
Clinton + old washington ideals + living with Bill + WAY TOO OLD
US Media + inside Washingon culture + afraid to branch out = OLD NEWS
Come on...lets bolt out and get some new blood in there to clean up the good ole' boys club.
Comment: Hey choozy, Roosevelt (I assume you mean Franklin Delano) was only 51 (about the same age as John Edwards) when he was inaugurated the first time, and 63 (around Bill Clinton's age) when he died.
Comment: Hey choozy, Roosevelt (I assume you mean Franklin Delano) was only 51 (about the same age as John Edwards) when he was inaugurated the first time, and 63 (around Bill Clinton's age) when he died.
Comment: Certainly he is older than the ideal. Still he is the only one in the race from either side that has a proven history of working across partisan lines to get stuff done. I know it's scaring Democrats like Anna here that he would actually make a race out of this presidential election. It's time to get some things accomplished in the country by ignoring partisan politics as usual. Of course the newsweek democrat columnists need to write somethinghint
Comment: Quindlen introduces a new fear factor --- a President dying in office. After the Republicans screwed up and gave us an unprincipled Machiavel for Veep and an emperor without clothes for Current Occupant of the White House, they offer us a fine, elder statesman of integrity and principle. This is the only way they can save the White House for the GOP, i.e. elect the maverick with all of his wounds. I look forward to a Hillary-McCain contest actually. By November I'll know which way to to vote. I want to know that Hillary can keep Hubby on the porch. As for dying in office, McCain will choose an excellent running mate and we will survive
and if an elder statesman wants the job, then I say put him in there. I cannot wait for that last wave from the cynic as he totes his little dog --- the only positive image I have of this Occupancy.
Comment: The author is a Democrat. Reagan and Roosevelt were old. Both made history. Reagan had modern health care. McCain is healthier.
Comment: Here's another thought -- last spring MCain had about $25million in his campaign fund. Toward the summer he had spent it all except $2million. He had not aired one commercial, no print ads, nothing.Where did the money go? . Well, he had 147 people on staff,all living in plush hotels and having a fine old time. McCain tells the American people he will protect our money in Washington. Hell, he can't even manage his own money! Is that what we want in a President,?
Comment: Here's another thought -- last spring MCain had about $25million in his campaign fund. Toward the summer he had spent it all except $2million. He had not aired one commercial, no print ads, nothing.Where did the money go? . Well, he had 147 people on staff,all living in plush hotels and having a fine old time. McCain tells the American people he will protect our money in Washington. Hell, he can't even manage his own money. Is that what we want in a President, someone who overspends needlessly? Hey, we already got one of those.
Comment: A very intresting, thoughtful and honest piece Anna. Some Republicans wouldn't like this very bitter truth. People aren't thinking or talking about it yet but it will be intresting to watch an OBAMA (46yrs) vs McCAIN (72yrs) race. A generational fight, one point though, most oldtimers tend to fight for the future generation, how ironic.
Comment: As a longtime admirer of Anna Quindlen's writing, I was surprised and appalled by this column. Anna has always been a voice for tolerance, acceptance and reason. Why would someone who has fought discrimination in all of its forms suddenly voice such intolerance? I can only guess that Anna fears McCain may be able to defeat Clinton or Obama, so she has resorted to politics as usual. Shame on you Anna. You have lost my respect.
Pam Lee
York, Pennsylvania
Comment: My thought exactly, Pam. And you pegged it, too: "Anna fears....." Fear is usually the harbinger of stupidity and intolerance.
Comment: My thought exactly, Pam. And you pegged it, too: "Anna fears....." Fear is usually the harbinger of stupidity and intolerance.
Comment: Yes, let's watch liberals suddenly discover the acceptability of age discrimination - at least when it comes to Republicans running for president.
Let's face it, McCain's only real weakness in the general election is his age, especially against Hillary, who has no appeal to anyone outside the liberal base. The only way for her to win is take down her opponent - and here's a preview of what they'll try. Fortunately, most people won't buy into it as long as McCain doesn't give them a reason to.
Comment: Yes, let's watch liberals start to discover that age discrimination is acceptable - at least when it comes to Republicans running for president.
People like Quindlen know that McCain's only weakness in a general election is his age, particularly if up against Hillary, a person who can't get more than about 45% of the vote based on her own appeal.
Comment: PaTanciong, the democrats love the way you think. That thinking will get Obama elected. Ted Kennedy thanks you for your support. McCain is the only GOP nominee that has a chance to be Obama or Hillary.
Quindlan knows this and is trying to swing some vote the Demos way in November with this "too old" argument. She makes a good point but she also wants a Demo president in November.
Comment: Hell, Prainey 2, anybody with any sense wants a Demo for President next year. What a disaster the Republicans have given us to deal with!
Comment: First of all, Anna Quindlan is a Democrat. Anyone that reads her knows that. It now looks like McCain will be the GOP nominee and he is the only GOP candidate that has any real chance of winning in November. Therefore, this piece is an attempt to put doubts in peoples head about Mccain's age in hopes that she can swing a few votes to the Democrats in November. She makes a good point but McCain will nominate a good VP that will be able to step in if needed.
Comment: What's the big deal? You have to get a Chief of Staff, any way. Four years into the presidency he shall have been seventy-six. I know of many seventy-six years old who are fully functional executives. We just have to make sure he promises not to run for re=election!
My objection to Sen. MacCain is not of age but of ideology. He is democrat-lite. If we are going to subscribe to the ideology of the democrats, why not elect a democrat?
Comment: Four years into the presidency would make him seventy-six. We just have to makehim promise he doe not run fo re-election!
Comment: Imagine the uproar if Hillary Clinton were called unqualified for the presidency based on examples of other women not performing at high-profile jobs. The outcry would only be greater if overall statistics of blacks were used to stereotype Barack Obama as an inadequate presidential candidate. This election should be about the individual, independent of their race, sex or age. I am greatly surprised that Anna Quindlen would write such a biased article against John McCain based on his age. Age discrimination is against the law, and Ms. Quindlen???s prejudiced writing is discrimination at its worst.
Comment: Imagine the uproar if Hillary Clinton were called unqualified for the presidency based on examples of other women not performing at high-profile jobs. The outcry would only be greater if overall statistics of blacks were used to stereotype Barack Obama as an inadequate presidential candidate. This election should be about the individual, independent of their race, sex or age. I am greatly surprised that Anna Quindlen would write such a biased article against John McCain based on his age. Age discrimination is against the law, and Ms. Quindlen???s prejudiced writing is discrimination at its worst.
Comment: So, we're past sexism and racial prejudice but age discrimination is okay?? Why don't we try judging candidates by their actions and records for a change? Maybe Ms. Quindlen should throw stones only after she's kept up the kind of schedule the senator has for the past 2 months (make that 25 years). This topic only comes out of the mouths of people who can't find any other argument to keep John McCain from becoming the next President of the United States.
Comment: Your comments on age are well founded. The thought of McCain going against Obama just brings me back to Dole/Clinton ...a disaster for the Republicans. Even against the Clintons, he would come up against the Clinton techniques just demonstrated against Obama. They will brring up the Age question via secondary commentators among their friends in the media and their political hatchet men. And it will work as they manage to focus more attention to it. This quite aside from your valid point about the demands of the job for a man of his age. We need a two term president in this country if anything substantial is to be accomplished.
We can't afford a president with such a high risk of potential incapacity or even death in office.
Comment: Thanks for bringing this up. I've been telling everybody McCain should back off and let a younger man take office i.e. if the Republicans win and I'm hoping they don't. As you mentioned, the job of president is not an easy one, mentally and physically. We have a war to deal with and don't need a newly elected president ending up in the hospital or worse. McCain's a great and brave man, I grant him that but reality and circumstances dictate a younger man is the only option for the U.S. If he's selected to run for president the Republicans are putting their money on a horse that may not make it to the finish line.
Comment: Ms. Quindlen is looking rather dated herself. Should she still be practicing journalism at her age or should she make way for younger reporters who obviously have more vitality than she does?
Comment: I also agree that 71 is too old to begin a term as President. Also the elderly have certain characteristics that do not blend well with power. If you saw McCain's reaction to a question from Anderson Cooper about what Romney had actually said, McCain started a "yes he did" series that was shown to be erroneous by a recorded clip. This makes me think that stubborness has no place in the oval office.
Comment: I have to agree with Ms. Quindlen --- 71 IS "too old" to be president. There's a reason some firms still have mandatory retirement ages.
Comment: I agree that bringing up the age/infirmity of a candidate may be legitimate in some circumstances. However, anyone who has ever read your column knows your attempt to malign the Senator is neither sincere or accurate. Considering the positions you have taken and championed in the past challenging every other category of discrimination, perceived and real alike, you should be ashamed of yourself. The readers get it. You back Hillary for President because gender instead of character is more important to you. It???s truly sad to see that you, like the candidate you support, believe that the ends justify the means.
Comment: I agree that bringing up the age/infirmity of a candidate may be legitimate in some circumstances. However, anyone who has ever read your column knows your attempt to malign the Senator is neither sincere or accurate. Considering the positions you have taken and championed in the past challenging every other category of discrimination, perceived and real alike, you should be ashamed of yourself. The readers get it. You back Hillary for President because gender instead of character is more important to you.
Comment: Well, age, race and gender are all "valid" concerns, I suppose. But shouldn't the root concept be applied to the masses instead of a single man. For instance, if you can't vote until your 18, how old do you have to be before you can't vote. Should everybody give up their driver's license when they are 65 and retire? Seeing that social security is not enough to live on when you get to be 65, at what age do you get to NOT have to work and NOT pay taxes for something you'll never get to enjoy. And so forth and so on and la-di-da-di-da. "Gira gira, la freccia torna in culo a chi la tira".
Comment: Regardless of media bias, good genes, sharp tacks, and noble service, age 70+ is too old to be starting a first term as President of the United States. If we're lucky enough to live that long, there comes a time when each of us should gracefully step aside, be glad for what we had, and turn the game over to the next generation. McCain has reached that time as far as the presidency is concerned.
Comment: T4Texson, I'd like to shake your hand. Most of the arrows are aimed at Anna for writing the truth. I'm 71 and wouldn't even think of running for dog catcher. I'm in perfect health and enjoy standing on the sidelines watching the young do their thing. I don't have to prove anything to anyone, I've been there and done that. Mr. McCain's being pushed into something way over his head, his mother?
Comment: Ahh yes the first stab at John McCains age if he's the Republican nominee. The media loves JOhn McCain like they loved Bob Dole. Bob Dole was waxed by Bill Clinton in '96 and the Clinton camp is planning the same thing for McCAin and they will do this by highlighting his age as an issue. Either that or they'll out and out turn on him during the general election. The media is in love with the Clintons as smarmy and dirty as they are.
Comment: Ahhh yes! The first stab at John McCain's age if he's the Republcian nominee. So Anna, are you on the Clinton payroll?
Comment: And for those of you who are giving examples of your parents/yourself being 'sharp as a tack' in old age, she specifically in her article said DON'T. You and your parent won't be running the country!
Comment: I am SO GLAD that a journalist finally brought this up. I agree with everything Quindlen said, even though McCain is the Republican I would be most comfortable with in the White House (besides Ron Paul, but who are we kidding?!?). Age IS a factor, even more so than gender and race.
Comment: IT is OBVIOUS that the DEMCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT KNOWs THAT OBAMA is the CANDIDATE with the BEST CHANCE to win in NOVEMBER. EVERY statistic and poll supports this fact The DEMOCRATIC party cannot risk losing the WHITE HOUSE. The only obstacle standing in OBAMA's way is the LATINO VOTE.
THE CLINTON"S ARE JUST TO polarizing. Too many scandals, to many investigations. I do not believe they are guilty in all those scandals I just believe AMERICA needs a change from the establishment. We do not need a years worth of divisive campaigning. IT would be amazing to see McCain vs OBAMA. A GOOD CLEAN HEAVY WEIGHT FIGHT. NO ONE GETS THEIR EAR BIT OFF. A ROMNEY CAMpaign would be just like BUSH'S very divisive and full of lies. IF AMERICA CHOOSES THESE TWO CANDIDATES to represent their respective parties then I think the AMERICAN political process can begin to heal and set an example to the rest of the world. WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE ARE WE SENDING IRAQIS and AFGHANS. IF we promote racial divide why shoud they give us the benefit of the doubt concerning ABU GRADE and BLACK WATER. ARE WE REALLY RACIST CAN IT BE THAT THE CLINTON"S ARE A REFLECTION OF OUR SOCIETY. DIVIDE people so we the CLINTON'S can attain the power we are entitled too and so rightfully deserve after my conduct in the OVAL OFFICE. No one else is capable of being president. I will become nasty and play the race card because the "MEDIA" is trying to take away the presidency from me and my wife.
OBAMA HAS TO GAIN GROUND WITH THE LATINO VOTE. HE NEEDS TO BLITZ THE LATINO"S WITH COMMERCIALS OF ECONOMIC prosperity.
Comment: It isn't McCain's age that bothers me as much as his history of lining up on historically liberal issues, with the likes of Kennedy. For example, the fact that he would even suggest shutting down Gitmo in Cuba is troubling. Are the enemy combatants deserving of the same legal rights afforded an American citizen? But here's the kicker- he wasn't just suggesting. He was pushing for it. If this is as tough as McCain gets these days (with all due respect to his past service), I really must say, "pass". Conservatives deserve a real conservative, not a career fence-straddling chameleon. Too bad Giuliani is dropping out,but he shows poor judgment to endorse McCain. Perhaps Rudy is really only looking for the VP opportunity with McCain. I suppose career politicians, like birds of a feather can be expected to show this behavior anyhow.
Comment: Ms Quindlen, since this is apparently the occasion for cheap shots let me interject as well. Is it true that journalists also age in dog years? I saw your picture. Woof!
And is it an early manifestation of Alzheimer's that caused you to write this column?
Thank God that with Hillary-care we'll have Aricept in the drinking water.
Comment: It is always interesting that when someone can't think of a clever or intelligent thing to say to a women they disagree with, they insult her looks. A very cheap shot.
Comment: Preach it, ugly sister.
Comment: Anna, you ignorant slut.
Comment: now that was funny
www.begup.com
Comment: John McCain has been unable to comb his hair since he was tortured by having his arms bound to his sides for weeks at a time. He also suffered beatings which, yes, have made him a bit slower than the rest of us on the stairs. These problems have nothing to do with his age. He has had them since the war.
Now, Anna, what is your excuse for being such a vile human being. And, Newsweek, how long are you going to allow this ill-informed, insensitive writer to stay at Newsweek?
Comment: Attacking someone who is the best qualified for the job NOW on the basis that he will be old--and possibly infirm--after the next 4 "dog years"--is to avoid the real issues of competence and character which are the central issues in this November. This article is a cheap shot that avoids taking a balanced view of all the factors in this race--the kind of cheap shot Barack has faced recently--coincidence??
Comment: My dad was the best man I ever knew. But I can't say that he had all his marbles after 70. At age 70, he didn't really function too badly. He was sharp as a tack. But by 75, he couldn't find his way home while driving. He was once listed in Who's Who in the World of Physics, but after 70, he was not the same man intellectually. (He died at 80)
Comment: My dad was the best man I ever knew. But I can't say that he had all his marbles after 70. At age 70, he didn't really function too badly. He was sharp as a tack. But by 75, he couldn't find his way home while driving. He was once listed in Who's Who in the World of Physics, but after 70, he was not the same man intellectually. (He died at 80)
Comment: My dad was the best man I ever knew. But I can't say that he had all his marbles after 70. At age 70, he didn't really function too badly. He was sharp as a tack. But by 75, he couldn't find his way home while driving. He was once listed in Who's Who in the World of Physics, but after 70, he was not the same man intellectually. (He died at 80)
Comment: My dad was the best man I ever knew. But I can't say that he had all his marbles after 70. At age 70, he didn't really function too badly. He was sharp as a tack. But by 75, he couldn't find his way home while driving. He was once listed in Who's Who in the World of Physics, but after 70, he was not the same man intellectually. (He died at 80)
Comment: Leave the emotions aside. The facts are:
He'd be 72 1/2 at inauguration.(Oldest ever)
He's had MELANOMA.
He was tortured by the N Vietnamese for years.
His father died at 70, 10 years out of retirement.
His grandfather died at SIXTY. (Both had been full (4 Star) Navy Admirals.
I'd guess the odds of his completing one term are minuscule.
Comment: bjliss suggest that we have a maximum age requirement for the presidency. She may be right, but why stop there? Let's impose the same requirement for the house and senate. We have guys and gals up there who don't retire, they just die in office. Now, I will grant you that their jobs are not as tough as the presidency, they seem to spend most of their time getting bad publicity in airport restrooms and such. But I think the age restriction is a good idea. Let's start with that old dinosaur Kennedy, and really clean house (and the senate) I would sumbit that the country is being run by a bunch of folks who while they can't seem to get their hands high enough to comb their hair have no problem reaching into our back pockets and extracting our hard earn cash to support the latest political project.
Comment: BJLISS thinks we should have a maximun age requirement for the presidency. Why draw the line there? How about all of the old geezers in the house and senate who have been there for so many years our government can't get anything done. Let's start with Ted Kennedy and root out all the old geezers living on the public dole. If McCain is too old then Kennedy is certainly too old! Dump em all and start fresh!
Comment: Akone says: "It's about character. Senator McCain has that in spades."
That is the problem with McCain, the type of character he has displayed time and again in his life. How can a man of good conscience and good character abandon his crippled wife and 3 kids for a rich trophy wife 17 years his junior?
That is a character flaw whose magnitude I will not abide.
With Mitt Romney???s wealth he could have lived any life he chose and no one could have stopped him. He chose to stand as a good husband and father to his family. Behind closed doors and within the four walls of his home he has showed more GOOD character then anyone I have ever seen run for public office. Where are McCain???s 3 children? I have not seem them stumping for him like Mitt???s 5 sons.
Everything I see in McCain???s life, both public and private, point to him being selfish and power hungry.
As a conservative I will not vote for this man even if he is the Republican nominee. I would rather the country hit the skids with Hillary in charge then a ???Republican??? of low moral character.
Comment: Mitthasmyvote...you are awesome! I will vote Democratic before I will vote for this low life, regardless of his age!
