The Age Issue

Let's be honest with ourselves. It's not pleasant to talk about - in fact it seems downright rude - but it has to be said: John McCain is too old to be President. It would be one thing if he were remarkably youthful for his age, if his mind was sharp and his step light. We've all known those senior citizens - people who have more energy than we do even though we're half their age, who demonstrate remarkable perceptiveness borne from experience. Older statesman of this brand are a blessing. Henry Clay and Clemenceau were their old canny selves almost to the day they died, and Reagan displayed some of that character early in his first term.

But John McCain? No. I'm sorry. He's not young for his age. If anything, he's old for his age. He looks every one of his 72 years, and perhaps then some. He forgets things. He is irrationally belligerent. He is easily guided by his advisors. He is afraid to make decisions. He utters stupidities. He's mean. It would be one thing if John McCain were always this way, but he wasn't. Go look at videotape of him even 8 years ago and you'll see what I mean. The John McCain of 2008 is a sad shadow of the John McCain of 2000. Not that McCain demonstrated wonderful judgment before, but his intransigence and unprincipled behavior has become pathetic.

With all of the problems confronting our nation today, the last thing we need is a feeble hand at the wheel. I'm sorry, but it's a fact.