Is age an issue?
Polls show Americans are ready to elect a woman or an African American to the White House, said David Harsanyi in The Denver Post, but whether they will "elect a grouchy old white guy" is another question. Barack Obama has already made wisecrack
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
What happened
John McCain, the likely Republican president nominee, has been getting a boost from older voters, many of whom like the idea that, since he’ll be 72 when the election comes, he would be the oldest person ever to win a first term as president. (Los Angeles Times, free registration) Many political observers say that McCain’s age will increase pressure on him to pick a young but tested running mate. (United Press International)
What the commentators said
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Plenty of people have asked whether the nation is ready to elect a woman or an African America to the White House, said David Harsanyi in The Denver Post, but the real question this year is whether “Americans are ready to elect a grouchy old white guy.” The polls aren’t encouraging for McCain. According to Gallup, “only 5 percent of Americans would never vote for an African-American, while 11 percent claim they would never vote for a woman,” but 42 percent claim they would not vote for a 72-year-old.
Age has “remained notably absent as a campaign issue” so far, said Andrew Kohut in The New York Times’ Campaign Stops blog. But that won’t hold true in the general election. Age was “very much on the minds of many American voters” back in 1996, when Bob Dole was running for president at 73. And while “voters may be reluctant to admit that they will not cast a ballot for a black or a woman, larger numbers are not at all shy about voicing reservations about voting for an older presidential candidate.”
Obama has already tried to score points with “wise-cracks” about McCain’s “half-century of service,” said James Kirchick in The New Republic’s The Plank blog. “Cheap shots” like that get laughs, yes. “This tactic is a double-edged sword, however, as hinting that McCain is too old (and all that being ‘too old’ implies: his war record, his decades in Congress, the voluminous legislation he has passed, etc.) opens up Obama to the obvious criticism that he is too young.”
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
5 tips to save on heating bills
The Explainer Follow these expert recommendations for a cozy and cheap winter
By Becca Stanek Published
-
Should you fire your financial adviser? 4 signs it's time to say goodbye.
The Explainer Breakups are never fun, but you have to protect your wallet
By Becca Stanek Published
-
The daily gossip: Man arrested in connection with shooting of Tupac Shakur, an OceanGate movie is in the works, and more
Feature The daily gossip: September 29, 2023
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Will the cannabis banking bill get the Senate's green light?
Talking Point The SAFER Banking Act is advancing to the US Senate for the first time, clearing a major hurdle for legal cannabis businesses. Does it stand a chance?
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Trump surrenders in Georgia election subversion case
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries chosen to succeed Pelosi as leader of House Democrats
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
GOP leader Kevin McCarthy's bid for House speaker may really be in peril
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Are China's protests a real threat for Beijing?
opinion The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
By Harold Maass Published
-
Who is Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist who dined with Trump and Kanye?
Speed Read From Charlottesville to Mar-a-Lago in just five years
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Jury convicts Oath Keepers Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy in landmark Jan. 6 verdict
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published