Should John McCain's age matter?

The Associated Press

McCain on the stump: "I'm older than dirt, got more scars than Frankenstein, but I've learned a few things along the way."

Featured Topic | Posted 32 weeks 2 days ago

Should John McCain's age matter?

The Oval Office ages its occupant. The burdens of the presidency require the wisdom of age but the endurance of youth. If John McCain wins the general election in November, he would be the oldest candidate elected to a first term in the White House. He jokes about it, but the issue is becoming more prominent now that McCain is the presumptive GOP nominee.

Should age play a role in evaluating a candidate's fitness to be president? Should age influence how McCain chooses a running mate?

Ben likes: Is McCain too old?

Ryan Cole/The Wall Street Journal

Churchill. Adenauer. DeGaulle. Mandela. Meir. Reagan. This diverse group of leaders shares a common denominator: They faced trying challenges in office and held the reins of power at momentous times in their country's history. They each had a great impact on their respective countries that continues to this today. They are remembered by their accomplishments -- great and visionary war-time leadership, rapprochement and reconciliation in the shadow of war and racial division, and steadfast commitment to defeating the last century's threats to peace and freedom. They are not remembered for their age at the time they entered office.

Joel likes: McCain's age could be issue

Jack Cowan/San Angelo Standard Times

John McCain's ability to be up to the rigors of the job draws further scrutiny because he has been diagnosed with melanoma three times. Certainly anyone can suffer from cancer at any age, but again the statistics say the longer we live, the greater chance we have of dying from it.

Because of all that, the choice of a running mate would be more important for a McCain campaign than perhaps any nominee before. Rarely do voters base their decision on whether the vice president would be an acceptable leader, but this year that could be the case for a number of Americans -- enough to swing a close election

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