McCain: When Does Age Become an Issue?

Image from source, Wall Street Journal

Age is a very dicey subject to cover. For one thing--if we're lucky--one day we will all get old and anything we've said in the past might come back to haunt us. For me, making fun of somebody's age can be fun. . .up to a point. Everybody likes to rib their friend who's turned 30, 40 or 50. But 60, 70 or 80 are more like celebrations--yay! You made it! Age digs lose their humor.

Outside of the humor realm, there are practical situations where age becomes an issue. Many people have suggested mandatory retesting for drivers' licenses after a certain age. Pilots have mandatory retirement ages. People dispute the cut-off ages, but everyone realizes that you don't stay sharp forever. Now, what about the office of the President?

I am not about to make some sort of proclamation that John McCain is too old. I'm just going to make a couple of observations. First, I know a few 70+ year-olds. Some are robust, and sharp as a tack. Some are starting to fade. Whatever you may say about McCain, he is not a young 72. Also, from reviewing video and written accounts of his 2000 bid for the Presidency, he is quite a different man today. I don't know if this issue can be dealt with easily. But if McCain is slipping, do we just ignore it?

[Excerpt]

Is John McCain Stupid?

Is John McCain losing it?

On Sunday, he said on national television that to solve Social Security "everything's on the table," which of course means raising payroll taxes. On July 7 in Denver he said: "Senator Obama will raise your taxes. I won't."

This isn't a flip-flop. It's a sex-change operation.

Read more at: Wall Street Journal