Comments on: Is McCain’s age an issue? Only if voters want to make it one http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/ Tracking the 2008 U.S. campaign Mon, 6 Oct 2008 23:13:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Oklahoma Jack http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360713 Oklahoma Jack Wed, 14 May 2008 00:38:31 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360713 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Reader... I noticed something being said about Mr. Reagan's achievements in this web log. One of these achievements was to start this country down the quarter-century slide to fiscal and financial irresponsibility, beginning in 1981. He did this by eliminating the need for the Privileged Class and Super Privileged Class to participate in paying this great nation's bills. How? By persuading a jaded and easily molded congress to go along with cutting the top marginal federal personal income tax rate from 69% to 28% during the first five years of Mr. Reagan's eight years in office. That rate is now at 35%. It needs to be ratcheted back up to 70%, while at the same time lowering the top marginal rate for the Middle Class and Working Class to no more than 20%...and preferably down to 15%. I don't know why it is, but somehow the majority of rural voters in this country have been persuaded over the years that rich folks like Mr. McCain can't afford to pay their fair share of this country's bills. There is nothing in the rule book that says that the wealthy should have their taxes cut by the same percentage as those who actually work for a living. Best Regards, Oklahoma Jack Dear Mr. & Mrs. Reader…

I noticed something being said about Mr. Reagan’s achievements in this web log.

One of these achievements was to start this country down the quarter-century slide to fiscal and financial irresponsibility, beginning in 1981.

He did this by eliminating the need for the Privileged Class and Super Privileged Class to participate in paying this great nation’s bills.

How?

By persuading a jaded and easily molded congress to go along with cutting the top marginal federal personal income tax rate from 69% to 28% during the first five years of Mr. Reagan’s eight years in office.

That rate is now at 35%. It needs to be ratcheted back up to 70%, while at the same time lowering the top marginal rate for the Middle Class and Working Class to no more than 20%…and preferably down to 15%.

I don’t know why it is, but somehow the majority of rural voters in this country have been persuaded over the years that rich folks like Mr. McCain can’t afford to pay their fair share of this country’s bills.

There is nothing in the rule book that says that the wealthy should have their taxes cut by the same percentage as those who actually work for a living.

Best Regards,
Oklahoma Jack

]]> By: Julius http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360674 Julius Tue, 13 May 2008 15:57:27 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360674 Hello Cisca I agree with your observation. I also didnt think Obama was referring to McCain's age until the McCain guys brought it to my attention. The fact is that they wish and want to try to sweep the age issue under the rugs. But who is comfortable seeing a GREAT GRAND FATHER becoming president and leader of the world during these times of economic,climatic and other uncertainties? America and the world need someone who is up to date with the current issues not someone who is still stuck in the cold war mentality and may undo President Reagan's achievements by reigniting the cold war because that he what he lived and he still has scores he will want to settle. That era is over. Sen. McCain needs nothing less than a decent retirement especially since he is one of the richest senators but hardly wants anyone to notice. Hello Cisca
I agree with your observation. I also didnt think Obama was referring to McCain’s age until the McCain guys brought it to my attention. The fact is that they wish and want to try to sweep the age issue under the rugs. But who is comfortable seeing a GREAT GRAND FATHER becoming president and leader of the world during these times of economic,climatic and other uncertainties? America and the world need someone who is up to date with the current issues not someone who is still stuck in the cold war mentality and may undo President Reagan’s achievements by reigniting the cold war because that he what he lived and he still has scores he will want to settle. That era is over. Sen. McCain needs nothing less than a decent retirement especially since he is one of the richest senators but hardly wants anyone to notice.

]]> By: cisca wikkeling http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360656 cisca wikkeling Tue, 13 May 2008 05:29:57 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360656 Interesting, when I heard Obama say that McCain had lost his bearings I believed him to mean he had strayed from the promise to run a clean campaign. Not until McCain's campaign brought it up did I see how it could be taken. These old people are too sensitive about their age. Interesting, when I heard Obama say that McCain had lost his bearings I believed him to mean he had strayed from the promise to run a clean campaign. Not until McCain’s campaign brought it up did I see how it could be taken.
These old people are too sensitive about their age.

]]> By: ray http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360611 ray Mon, 12 May 2008 14:22:05 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360611 If age is going to be an issue then the youngster in the group should explain how his lack of experience is not a problem then. I hope that the rest of the election process is not going to be a nit-picking affair. We want to know where each candidate stands and how they are going to help America, all 57 states. If age is going to be an issue then the youngster in the group should explain how his lack of experience is not a problem then. I hope that the rest of the election process is not going to be a nit-picking affair. We want to know where each candidate stands and how they are going to help America, all 57 states.

]]> By: Lionel Png http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360607 Lionel Png Mon, 12 May 2008 13:14:10 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360607 Age alone is not an issue but when age is linked to health, especially mental health, it is a very great issue. For a Presidential Candidate, mental health such as alertness and sharpness of mind are very important factors to assess his/her qualifications to lead a World Superpower such as the United States. In such an instance, mental health needs not encroach into the realms of real sickness or illness or disease, which if discovered would certainly disqualify a person to run for the Office of a US President - the Supreme Commander-in-Chief - as the risk is too great to be left to chance, even if backed-up by a few certified physicians or medical experts. The deterioration in mental alertness and the inability to be fast enough to SPONTANEOUSLY size up a situation and seize an open opportunity, without the help of aides or assistants and afterthoughts, are very disadvantageous and sometimes detrimental characteristics of a leader and therefore highly undesirable if there are better choices available. Food for thought? Cheers! Lionel Png From: Singapore (South-East Asia, not any part of China). Age alone is not an issue but when age is linked to health, especially mental health, it is a very great issue.

For a Presidential Candidate, mental health such as alertness and sharpness of mind are very important factors to assess his/her qualifications to lead a World Superpower such as the United States. In such an instance, mental health needs not encroach into the realms of real sickness or illness or disease, which if discovered would certainly disqualify a person to run for the Office of a US President - the Supreme Commander-in-Chief - as the risk is too great to be left to chance, even if backed-up by a few certified physicians or medical experts.

The deterioration in mental alertness and the inability to be fast enough to SPONTANEOUSLY size up a situation and seize an open opportunity, without the help of aides or assistants and afterthoughts, are very disadvantageous and sometimes detrimental characteristics of a leader and therefore highly undesirable if there are better choices available.

Food for thought? Cheers!

Lionel Png
From: Singapore (South-East Asia, not any part of China).

]]> By: Oklahoma Jack http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360560 Oklahoma Jack Sun, 11 May 2008 15:37:25 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360560 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Reader... Age is not relevant. The Constitution specifies a minimum age, not a maximum. What is relevant to this article is the way the subject matter slid all the way down the slippery slope of Mr. McCain's age to Hamas. The imaginary connection between Hamas and Mr. Obama is absolutely not relevant. Mr. McCain knows this very well, I'm sure. It is this type of flagrant innuendo that republicans are (in)famous for. Mr. Bush's father's surrogates used it against Mr. Dukakis in 1988, and also against Mr. Clinton in 1992. To his credit, Mr. Dole avoided the use of innuendo in 1996, during his campaign against Mr. Clinton. Mr. Bush's surrogates used innuendo against Mr. McCain himself in 2000. Mr. Bush's surrogates again used it in 2004, against Mr. Kerry. Mrs. Clinton has used it against Mr. Obama as late as this year. Mr. McCain seems unable to resist the temptation of also using it against Mr. Obama. The low road of innuendo is a route that Mr. Obama seems to have avoided. I hope that he continues to do so. Unfortunately, it is the route that apparently can lead to the Oval Office. Best Regards, Oklahoma Jack Dear Mr. & Mrs. Reader…

Age is not relevant. The Constitution specifies a minimum age, not a maximum.

What is relevant to this article is the way the subject matter slid all the way down the slippery slope of Mr. McCain’s age to Hamas.

The imaginary connection between Hamas and Mr. Obama is absolutely not relevant. Mr. McCain knows this very well, I’m sure.

It is this type of flagrant innuendo that republicans are (in)famous for. Mr. Bush’s father’s surrogates used it against Mr. Dukakis in 1988, and also against Mr. Clinton in 1992. To his credit, Mr. Dole avoided the use of innuendo in 1996, during his campaign against Mr. Clinton.

Mr. Bush’s surrogates used innuendo against Mr. McCain himself in 2000.

Mr. Bush’s surrogates again used it in 2004, against Mr. Kerry. Mrs. Clinton has used it against Mr. Obama as late as this year. Mr. McCain seems unable to resist the temptation of also using it against Mr. Obama.

The low road of innuendo is a route that Mr. Obama seems to have avoided. I hope that he continues to do so.

Unfortunately, it is the route that apparently can lead to the Oval Office.

Best Regards,
Oklahoma Jack

]]> By: Julius http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360480 Julius Sat, 10 May 2008 13:47:17 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360480 OF COURSE AGE SHOULD BE AN ISSUE!! Because your mamma is 96 years old has no implication on your life expectancy especially if you already a chronic disease like Cancer and possibly others yet to be revealed sooner than later. As the world and the country wants to move on to the 21st century McCain and his cold war peers are seeking to drag us into a new cold war! He has made it clear his foreign policy is going to hinge of picking fights with Russia, China and others by dwelling in such fantasies as kicking Russia out of the G8 showing how little he knows how this club works. And he forget we BORROW MONEY FROM CHINA TO EVEN AFFORD THE TAX STIMULUS!!! The new world order CAN NOT FUNCTION without the US, Russia and China - considering they are all nuclear armed to the teeth, and more so because Russia and China are fast becoming global economic powers - whether we like it or not. OF COURSE AGE SHOULD BE AN ISSUE!! Because your mamma is 96 years old has no implication on your life expectancy especially if you already a chronic disease like Cancer and possibly others yet to be revealed sooner than later.
As the world and the country wants to move on to the 21st century McCain and his cold war peers are seeking to drag us into a new cold war! He has made it clear his foreign policy is going to hinge of picking fights with Russia, China and others by dwelling in such fantasies as kicking Russia out of the G8 showing how little he knows how this club works. And he forget we BORROW MONEY FROM CHINA TO EVEN AFFORD THE TAX STIMULUS!!!
The new world order CAN NOT FUNCTION without the US, Russia and China - considering they are all nuclear armed to the teeth, and more so because Russia and China are fast becoming global economic powers - whether we like it or not.

]]> By: james http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360462 james Sat, 10 May 2008 07:09:46 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360462 Age is irrelevant: Kennedy was (IIRC) the youngest elected President, yet he died before finishing his first term - and the country survived just fine. Reagan was the oldest, yet served two terms in good health. As for McCain being past his peak, maybe so, but so what? You have to consider the height of the peak. After all, you could argue that the much younger G.W. Bush was at his peak when elected, but Bush's peak was never higher than a Texas gopher hole. Age is irrelevant: Kennedy was (IIRC) the youngest elected President, yet he died before finishing his first term - and the country survived just fine. Reagan was the oldest, yet served two terms in good health.

As for McCain being past his peak, maybe so, but so what? You have to consider the height of the peak. After all, you could argue that the much younger G.W. Bush was at his peak when elected, but Bush’s peak was never higher than a Texas gopher hole.

]]> By: Dave http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360458 Dave Sat, 10 May 2008 06:03:16 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360458 I support Obama, but he better chose his words carefully. People will forgive bad choice of words once or twice, but not on a daily basis. I have equal respect for Obama and McCain. Obama gave his supporters stern warning not to engage in smear campaign, and he followed though with it. McCain on the other hand let his supporters engage in smear campaign, and he didn't do much to stop them. That is a bad thing in my book. Mccain's age is not an issue. He has been through two wars. He can handle the pressure of Presiden't job better than George "border-patrol" Bush, Bill "draft-dodger" Clinton, and Hillary "sniper-fire" Clinton. If Obama becomes president, I think he will be a worn out man at the end of 8 years, especially because of the situation that this country is in right now. In case of McCain, I am slightly concerned that lobbyists will be in charge. If Hillary becomes president, then there is no question in my mind that this country will be run over by lobbyists. I'm a bit relieved that she won't get that chance this time. I support Obama, but he better chose his words carefully. People will forgive bad choice of words once or twice, but not on a daily basis.

I have equal respect for Obama and McCain. Obama gave his supporters stern warning not to engage in smear campaign, and he followed though with it. McCain on the other hand let his supporters engage in smear campaign, and he didn’t do much to stop them. That is a bad thing in my book.

Mccain’s age is not an issue. He has been through two wars. He can handle the pressure of Presiden’t job better than George “border-patrol” Bush, Bill “draft-dodger” Clinton, and Hillary “sniper-fire” Clinton.

If Obama becomes president, I think he will be a worn out man at the end of 8 years, especially because of the situation that this country is in right now. In case of McCain, I am slightly concerned that lobbyists will be in charge. If Hillary becomes president, then there is no question in my mind that this country will be run over by lobbyists. I’m a bit relieved that she won’t get that chance this time.

]]> By: Paul http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360454 Paul Sat, 10 May 2008 04:42:57 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/05/09/is-mccains-age-an-issue-only-if-voters-want-to-make-it-one/#comment-360454 Obama's "lack" of experience and lack of legislative accomplishment will be the bigger issue. Obama’s “lack” of experience and lack of legislative accomplishment will be the bigger issue.

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