Is no one concerned about the fact that John McCain will be 72 (if) when he takes over the White House? He’ll be 76 at the end of his term - I think the more important questions aren’t what his policies are, but what are those of his (eventual) running mate? let’s face it, while I am fully aware that 72 is still younger than the eldest IronMan finisher, one must look at the possibility that he may not serve his full term, in which case his platform may just be a smokescreen for the “real” eventual president. not to be ageist of course…I’m just saying it may be something worth considering. but like I’ve said before, one isn’t better or worse than the other, they still have to appease the Corporate interest.
I’m less concerned about his age than his policies. Besides 72 is the new 62.
Reagan was born in Feb. 1911 so he’d have been a few days shy of 70 when he took office in Jan. 1981, and what, 78 when he left office? Was he the oldest president?
Reagan was born in Feb. 1911 so he’d have been a few days shy of 70 when he took office in Jan. 1981, and what, 78 when he left office? Was he the oldest president?
At what age was Reagan effectively no longer competent to be President?
I’m not even sure why this is a concern. ANYONE that is president could die. And so far without fail they all have :-). Hillary could get breast cancer, O’Bama is black and that comes with some health risks that white guy’s don’t have to worry about as much.
The system is set up with any number of successors. As far as looking at who his running mate is…doesn’t everyone do that already, or is it just me?
~Matt
Besides 72 is the new 62.
In that case, welcome to the new 40.
As my Dad used to say after practicing medicine for 50 years: “pick your parents carefully.” Mom is 95 and pretty spry. Seems to be a good blood line. Age would not be my concern. That said, anyone remember the old Bush senior Quayle Secret Service joke (If anything ever happened to Bush, the Secret Service was under orders to shoot Quayle)? McCain needs to have a strong VP running mate…
Reagan was born in Feb. 1911 so he’d have been a few days shy of 70 when he took office in Jan. 1981, and what, 78 when he left office? Was he the oldest president?
At what age was Reagan effectively no longer competent to be President?
Probably, in his case, about 65.
If I had to make a guess, I’d say his running mate will either be Rudy or the guy that looks like George Washington from Connecticut, I can’t remember his name right now.
I’ve thought about that, but considering the options, I’ll still vote for him if he wins the primary . . . and I’m a registered Democrat 
Reagan dodged these questions as well. He effectively ended it when someon asked him how much age is playing a role in the election. He answered by saying he will not hold his opponents youth and inexperience against him, in reference to Mondale. Classic, even Mondale was laughing.
Reagan was never too old to be President, he did become too sick however, but by that time he was essentially a lame duck.
The system is set up with any number of successors.
Attention, paging Mr. Al Haig. . . Mr Al Haig, please pick up a white courtesy phone.
Believe me, lots of people are thinking about this and it’s been raised a number of time, most recently – and ineffectively – by Chuck Norris (why WHY is Chuck part of our political discourse – but I digress). McCain likes to trot out his 95-year-old mother, but she’s never had to be president and I think the issue is more what the stress of the job will do to someone McCain’s age rather than how long he’d live if he carried on a relatively normal life. Like someone said earlier, he’ll need a strong VP candidate.
Believe me, lots of people are thinking about this and it’s been raised a number of time, most recently – and ineffectively – by Chuck Norris (why WHY is Chuck part of our political discourse – but I digress). McCain likes to trot out his 95-year-old mother, but she’s never had to be president and I think the issue is more what the stress of the job will do to someone McCain’s age rather than how long he’d live if he carried on a relatively normal life. Like someone said earlier, he’ll need a strong VP candidate.
Maybe Chuck Norris ought to BE his VP running mate. Chuck Norris could implement all foreign policy and we could eliminate the Defense Department.