We almost never see old women on TV. We see a few men, including “60 Minutes” octogenarian Andy Rooney, bony-shouldered Larry King and America’s Oldest Teenager Dick Clark, whose post-stroke New Year’s Eve appearances so rattled us we’ve had tasteless national debates: Should youth-crazed America be forced to look at him anymore?
So it was inevitable that the age thing would re-emerge big this week. We saw an often grouchy John McCain, 71, debating on TV Wednesday, dwarfed in physical size by the impeccable Mitt Romney in his broad-shouldered suit and that bit of gray about the temples (but will the gray ever move beyond the temples? I’m suspicious. And do you notice the Romney beatific expression - the slightest smile, the kind and compassionate gaze - as he looks upon McCain, who clearly loathes him?).
“Those of us with HDTV could see the oatmeal on McCain’s chin,” deadpanned Boston lawyer Stephen Townsend, hardly the only ageist jokester. “More James Stockdale than Jack Palance.” That’s a big hit online. Likewise the horrifying YouTube clip showing President McCain morphing into Methuselah.
Even Newsweek’s politically correct Anna Quindlen declared McCain too old, though the man the Republicans all genuflect before - Ronald Reagan - was first elected at 69 and re-elected at 73. Even though, as Quindlen concedes, much of McCain’s aged appearance (he walks slowly and cannot raise his arms to comb his hair) is the result of military injuries and five years of captivity. He broke both arms and a leg when his fighter jet went down; then endured broken shoulders and ribs in prison camp.
Here’s an easy prediction: Should McCain become the nominee, his age will become as much an issue as Hillary’s sex and Obama’s race. Should Hillary prevail, Bill will find a way to warn the nation, as he warned us about Barack, that a McCain vote too will be a “roll of the dice.” Suppose he’s dead before Inauguration Day?
How much should age matter?
A recent NBC/Wall Street Journal survey in Super Tuesday states said 35 percent believe it would be harder for someone over age 70 to govern. A New York Times [NYT]/CBS News Poll last year found that 52 percent believe the 50s are the best age to be president. Less than 1 percent said the 70s are best.
If McCain goofs up a debate or a speech, we’re more likely to suspect dementia - the undercurrent last week when he said April 2007 was a very good year, not month.
McCain himself knows voters’ concerns. He admits that’s why he brings his 95-year-old mother on the trail. He’s ready with quick you’re-too-old rejoinders. On Jay Leno this week, referring to Huckabee supporter Chuck Norris calling him too old, McCain said his newest endorser, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is going to take care of him (Norris). And once when a young boy asked him about age, McCain shot back, “Thanks for the question, you little jerk.”
But the truth is, of course, we don’t know how much age matters. Will John McCain age like his mother or like Reagan, who suffered from Alzheimer’s while still the president? The truth is, 70-somethings have more health problems than 50-somethings. The truth is, few jobs make you older faster than being president of the United States.
McCain might just help himself were he to do what he alluded to in New Hampshire. Remember? “If I said I was running for eight years, I don’t know if that would be a vote-getter - so I am running for a four-year term first.” He should just pledge a four-year term, period. And I’d feel better.
By Margery Eagan, Boston Herald Columnist
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