CNN

Jack, I think it is an issue. Clearly he is out of touch with what young voters want. 100 years in Iraq, come on.

As a senior citizen myself, I don't care about the age issue. My problem with the guy is his war mongering take on the world, coupled with rumors of a bad temper. Those don't make a good combo in a world fraught with obstacles to peace. Another thing I don't like, quite frankly, is that he's a Republican.

Yep, some people under 60 will, Jack, and perhaps as many as 85% under 30 will have a huge problem with some of his ideas.

At least 65% of people, regardless of age, will have a problem with him wanting to keep our troops in Iraq indefinitely.

Voters might have an issue with his old fashioned ideas. But I understand he's recording a speech that can be played on your Victrola that discounts these issues.

Every thing McCain does looks "old". When he was with Lieberman in Iraq, his response to and actions to answering McCain look "old". In fact, all one has to do is slow down that response and put a few undiscernible sounds in it and you have an old man responding very slow and incoherently. McCain makes mistakes by having old men on stage with him, witness, Warner et al which does not look good to the empowered youth in this nation. McCain's slow responses to the press do not look snappy enough for an old warrior of old battlefield experience in this fast-paced youth techno-war generation. McCain is his worst enemy as he fights his image of constant war with his old appearances. Remember Dole falling off the stage? Once McCain is labeled Mc'Dole', it is over no matter what Iraq means to this generation. The youth know that they corelate with the idea of military and it is the youth who will look to another of similar youthful appearance. McCain has lost before he can even run!

Apparently not, since Team 'same old politics as usual' Hillary is getting a fair amount of voter support. Why not Team 'same old politics as usual' McCain?

No. I have an issue with the fact that knowing everything he now knows, Sen. McCain still thinks it was a good idea to invade Iraq. That is not an "old-fashioned" idea. That is insane!

Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX

If Bill Clinton makes a comment about Hillary being tired, I would imagine John Mcain, at his age, would not answer the phone at 3AM. Tha leaves us only Obama, who can answer the phone correctly.

In a word, yes.

Jack,

It's hard to say how the people will react in the heat of a campaign, but let's be honest, the Democrats have managed to electrify the youngish end of the electorate in order to get the record turn-out numbers. It is unlikely that any of them are going to become Republican supporters no matter how things go with the Primaries.

Elections, like job interviews, tend to be about how like the candidate the voter feels they are. I don't think too many of those younger voters are going to see much in common with a guy who is stressing abstinance only...we are talking about a generation of kids who grew up with easily available birth control and parents who were not too far out of the "free love" era. Finding common ground there might be difficult.

I think they should have an issue with his love of war

Only if they have issues with ol fashioned tax cuts for the rich, and old-fashioned war, and old fashioned recession or depression. The republicans need to be told that the fiftys are over and Ronald Reagen died and isn't coming back, The boomers are getting old and a new generation is anxious to see if they can't do a better job of running this country.

If ideas like honor, compassion, vision, and strength are old fashioned – then yes, I am terrified. terrified that we will fail to elect the right candidate. John McCain brings a life expeireince that should comfort, not frighten voters.

Jenn
Pittsburgh, PA

Old fashioned ideas? Like respecting the law? Serving in the military when the country calls? Loyalty to your friends? Sounds like we could all use some of these old-fashioned ideas.

I truly believe that most people feel secure being wrapped in, "old fashioned ideas." Kind of a, "bring back the good old days," synergy. That doesn't scare me at all. What scares me is his statement that we will be in Iraq for 100 years. Was that dementia or did his speech writer move the decimal point two places?

don't think it matters whether they are old fashion ideas or not. What does matter is are they the same as George Bush's? I think many of them are especially his views on Iraq. I have a big issue with that.

Some things get better with age, but I think that most people are just desperately opposed to take the chance on voting in a president for four years that has a set agenda from way back when. We badly need someone with fresher ideas to address the mess of all of our domestic and global problems & has the energy a younger candidate can offer to see them through.

Jack -

I don't think they worry so much about "old-fashioned" as much as just "old", after the past 7 plus years I think America wants 'new ideas" We are ready for change as in fresh and clean and "new".

They might not be oldfashioned, but they surely are not akin with most of the people I know. I don't know where you are getting those polls, because in my poll he is down big time.

I don't think they worry so much about "old-fashioned" as much as just "old", after these last 7 plus years I think we want "NEW" as in fresh and clean and "new".

As far as I can tell, John McCain doesn't have any ideas, old or new that don't echo those of George W. Bush. He's for keeping our troop levels in Iraq the same as they are indefinitely, or conceivably increasing them beyond the 140,000 that are serving now. He's against any plan that would cover the millions of uninsured in our country, and he's put no ideas forward on the mortgage crisis that affects millions of home owners. Despite being labeled an expert on military matters, he's learned nothing from the Viet Nam experience, and has admitted to having no economic expertise. As they say, a vote for McCain is a vote for a third term for Bush. If the majority of the voting public can't see that, then we're all doomed to suffer more of the same.

Tom Turner
Dana Point, California

It apparently is only an issue for you and Howard Dean. Latest national polls shows Obama's 10 point lead over McCain evaporated. Obama is now even with McCain, Hillary a 4 point lead. I think you and Howard Dean need to be more concerned about seating the Florida delegates as is so the Democrats have a chance to win in Florida. Without Florida, a Democrat will have to win all the Kerry won states of 04 plus Ohio – somethnh it is beginning to appear Obama cannot do!

Roy, Jax Florida

Jack,

Assuming Obama is the opposing candidate you can be certain this will be an issue. It will most certainly look like JFK sitting next to Richard Nixon in 1960, new, fresh and exciting versus old, lame and tired.

Robert

North Port, FL

Not all "old-fashioned” ideas are bad, Jack, like personel freedom, liberty etc. I would rather have someone who has been around the block a few times than the novice your backing.

“old-fashioned” ideas, hell Marxism is an old idea, Jack. Not a very good one I might add.

I would think so, but I also thought that voters would never elect an idiot like Bush.

It is not his age or the old fashion ideas that bother me. It is his total lack of understanding of the world as it exist today. He doesn't understand that it was our presence on Arab soil that gave voice to Ben Laden and fueled his ideas and support.

McCain lacks the wisdom of a fellow soldier.

I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

It,s not his "old fashioned" ideas we are worried about Jack...it's his "old" age we are worried about!

mccain is so old he coughs dust.he's out of step with the new and younger voters who are turning out for obama.he has as much chance as 'billary' does.

I just don't want a President who wears his bathrobe out on the White House lawn and tells all of the reporters to get off his yard.

Age has nothing to do with this. Just ask Huckabee and Romney what their position on sex education is. These aren't just old-fashioned ideas, these are religiously inspired, supposedly moral ideas. The only old-fashioned idea I worry about with McCain more than other Republicans is his inability to realize that war is not always the answer. On top of that, he's one of the people who still believes that wars are won by brute force. Just throw more soldiers at the problem and it'll get fixed eventually. You'd think they'd learn their lesson after Vietnam, Iraq, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq II.

Well, my Grandpa was cute, full of old fashioned ideas, and contradicted himself a lot too. He was safe as long as he stayed in his recliner chair with the remote. But we cringed whenever he wanted to do things like get behind the wheel of a car or use power tools. Now, it seems our country is thinking about giving another Grandpa the keys to the country and access to the big nuke button. Gee, I'm not worried at all.

It will be an issue to some, but don't forget about the baby boomers, who kinda miss a lot of "old fashioned" Morals, the old fashioned American Dream, and so on! Funny Dean should bring up the term "Wishy-Washy"I can think of a few times when that could be used the other way around!

Jack: I don't think so. Stop and think......when was the last time Congress came up with new "ideas?" It's easy to come up with new ideas; the hard part is that what worked for you two years ago, will soon be out-of-date and unpopular. I think Howard Dean is cruel and insensitive for even going that route with McCain or any other candidate, either about his age or his ideas. Dean needs to grab his ears very "firmly" and jerk real hard.

His age isn't the problem. His “old-fashioned” are the problem. Once this fight is over with the Democrats, and Obama starts contrasting John McCain's ideas with his, the American people will see how completely out of touch McCain is. If Obama goes after John McCain on his policies, and sticks it to him hard during the debates, I would not be surprised to see a Democratic version of Reagan's 49 state blow out.

Brian, Cincinnati

At least the "old" ones have been tested and a record to back them up, Jack.
Last time I checked its only human nature for the young to look at the old and say "that's just an “old-fashioned” idea, we know better BLah Blah Blah". In some cases this it true, but in the vast majority there not.

Does John McCain even know how to use a computer? Does he think when we say 'cell' that we mean prison cell? Does he think that an apple and a blackberry are only fruits? Does he know World War II is over?

There are too many new ideas around, Jack, and that's the problem. Everyone has all these new ways to solve everything. We need to return to the traditions of "The Greatest Generation," when people made everything happen for themselves and each other, instead of just relying on government handouts.

Not likely. If the Republican's had Mitt Romney up on a pedestal, then we would have something to worry about... that guy's haircut and plastic smile just ooze 1950s America.

Yes, voters will have issues with "old" anything, whether it is his ideas or his brain. It is unfortunate because McCain should have been the nominee in 2000. Now he can't even remember the difference between Shia, Sunnis and Al Qaeda. Republicans are stuck supporting their crazy uncle to replace their problem child.

Well, some of those views are definitely old-fashioned. Abstinence-only as the only form of birth control is completely idiotic, especially from a man who supposedly was a "ladies' man" when he was young. Also, the idea that insurance companies not pay for birth control is equally dumb. I'm sure that an insurance company would end up paying a whole lot more for prenatal care, labor/delivery and 18 years of doctor bills than they would for birth control pills.

I don't think those values are all from his being older. There are plenty of older people who have been able to think through these things. Apparently, John McCain happens not to be one of them.

At 72, McCain will definately be out of touch on many issues. I will not trust my 72 old grandfather to drive me around on such a long and important journey.. I might only get advice occasionally from him so he belongs in the Senate and not the White House

Yes, voters will have an issue with this- Jack, could you list one "modern" idea that ole McSame has come up with? He doesn't get the economy (ok, maybe he knows barter system), he could leave our soldiers in Iraq for 100 years, he wants to adopt things that restrict personal freedoms (um, isn't that what the "enemy" is trying to do), he got sunnis/sheas mixed up (yet he is a global leader?); what kind of visionary can't even give a speech without staring at a teleprompter, like a cat staring at a mouse?

“judgment, character, vision and leadership"?

"judgement" as in making his "100 years in Iraq" comments and singing "bomb-bomb Iran" during public appearances?

"character" as in rolling over for George Bush after Karl Rove smeared him in 2000? I don't know ANY Navy Officer much less one that graduated fron the Naval Academy that would have put up with that.

"vision" as in making his "let them eat cake" style comments about the people losing their homes because of the mortgage crisis?

"leadership" as in his now supporting the Bush tax cuts for the rich in a time of war, flip-flopping on illegal immigration and now pandering to the religious right?

John McCain "“judgment, character, vision and leadership"? I DON'T THINK SO.

Age has nothing to do with old fashioned ideas. Dean is a total failure and I wonder what makes this idiot tick. He has screwed up the Democratic party and with stupid comments will aid in getting McCain elected. I completed Naval Flight School training before McCain and I do not think that I have old fashioned ideas unless such things as paying one bills, being honorable, truthful, and patriotic are considered old fashioned. I may disagree with some of McCain's other ideas, but on the main he is right on.

I think that voters will see his views as him trying to appeal to the religious right of his party rather than succumbing to ageism.

Some old fashioned ideas are well worth remembering and the electorate will not have a problem with McCain in this regard. His bad temper will be more of a problem and he seems to be getting crankier as the years pass. We do not need a commander-in-chief who might make some horrible misjudgment because some little frustration has put him in an antagonistic mood that day.

Age has nothing to do with issues. I'm fairly young and currently very anti-republican. If you start mixing health insurance, birth control pills and teenage recreational sex, well, I would have a problem with that too.
Let's talk apples to apples Jack. Dean can portray McCain as wishy-washy and if the shoe fits, McCain's gonna wear it. I wouldn't finger Dean as being hypocritical just because Kerry did it years ago.
Kerry lost and hopefully Dean learned from it. Bottom line, I've seen 30 year olds appear 80 and 80 year olds appear 50. McCain....he's at least 112.

Like Steven Coberet said recently,"McCain was there when the Grand Canyon happened!"
The man is 'out-of-touch','out-of-style' and will be 'out-of-the-way' by Novemeber !

If the trickle down economic theory is "old fashioned" I have a problem with it, because it doesn't work.

McCain is so old he counts votes with an abacus. He communicates via smoke signals. He knows a great deal about military matters because he has fought in every major conflict since the War of 1812. Need I say more – the dude is way too old to be President.

Well ! Deep in his heart he wants her to lose,his ego will not let her overshadow him. It`s just another example of her ineptitude She can`t seem to control her campaign How will she control,or even influence the country NO MATTER who gets elected we, as a country .are in for one hell of a downhill ride.

Old fashioned ideas are not a problem. In fact we woulod do well to have a few more such ideas, such as not lying to start a personal vendetta war, or allowing multi-national companies to operate to the detriment of the U.S., or sanction fiscally unsound lending and other financial activities. No, the problem is McSames old fashioned brain, it’s 72 years old.

McCain would have made a much better president than Bush in 2000. But time has caught up and both Clinton and Obama are far smarter than McCain and much more in tune with what is needed to move this country forward. At this point, unfortunately following Bush with McCain is going from a president too stubborn to admit a lack of knowledge to one too proud to admit to senior moments. The frying pan into the fire.

McCain in a debate with Obama, "I'm older than dirt. I knew dirt. Dirt was a friend of mine. Senator Obama, you're no dirt."

I don't know if McCain's ideas are old fashioned or simple minded, but they need to be discussed in greater detail by the media. McCain is getting a pass. How many people know his health care solution includes relieving employers of the burden of insuring employees? That would be okay if the alternative was a national health insurance program, but it's not. It will be everyone for themselves and just wait until the people with pre-existing conditions find out they can't buy coverage at any price.

I just wish he had some idea of who it is we're fighting in Iraq. His continued popularity seems to show that most voters don't know the difference either.

Howard Dean should be more worried about me voting for McCain and leaving the democratic party. Not counting the voice in FL and MI will cost him his position.

McCain has completely forgotten what it's like to be an average American. When the choice is between him and Obama, he's going to lose by an embarrassingly wide margin.

Boise, Idaho

Age is not the issue. I know a lot of people in their 70's who are as sharp as a knife. However, John McCain is not one of those people. In the '90's I respected John McCain, No More. He has turned to the Dark Side, the Neo-Con wing, and adopted everything that is wrong with republicans today. Plus, the Reagan Foot-soldier, apparently has the Reagan illness (the Big A). For a man who prides himself on his foreign relations experience, he can't even keep the Sunni and Shia straight. And, he seems to forget that he voted against nearly every bill that would benefit veterans and forgot that he has failed to sign-on to the new Webb GI Bill. You can't claim to be for Veterans' education benefits and not support the bill that enables those benefits.
A Bush trait -lie with a straight face

A McCain presidency scares me. Not only has he flipped and flopped on major issues, but his persona is that of an old man trying real hard to be portrayed as young. Why is it that his bleached blond wife has to be at his side at every turn? Can he not stand on his own or is she just the younger trophy on display? I'm not surprised that he has "old fashioned" ideas – I just know that we've had 8 years of a warped sense of "old fashioned values" and our country is a financial and moral disaster – I don't want another 4!

As for his record for the last 35 years – is he not proud of it? While it's commendable that he served his country in the military, one would think by how he promotes it that it was yesterday and not 30 plus years ago.

The media is giving McCain a pass at the moment. I hope that they don't pull the same crap as they did in 2000 with George Bush, where they lowered expectations so much that all Bush had to do was utter a few words without fumbling and he was given the proverbial gold star.

Probably! Although that might be dependent on how many young people he brings on board as advisors to tell him what to do or say when he has an attack of senility. If the country makes the mistake of electing him, there is a good chance, at his age, that those attacks could come somewhere during his first term. I personally met a former elected official once who couldn’t correctly answer a simple question until a person standing next to him whispered something in his ear. Perhaps that would end up being the case here. Oops, that has already happened to Sen. McCain when he was in Iraq.

Whoever says that age is not an issue is talking from dream land. I thought that the essence of mandatory retirement is to guard against dimishing productivity. I applaud McCain for a life of service but exercising good judgement includes knowing when to quit. There is no way that McCain's judgement will be unimpaired and in tune with today. If Bill reasons that people become forgetful at sixty, won't senility be the right word at seventy? McCain's abstinence-only stand can be excused because he predates contraception and may not fully comprehend it's benefit.

You know what Jack, I think McCain's the nominee because the republican party doesn't want the presidency this time. We have this huge mess, everywhere you look. The figure they can let the democrats have it, and then blame the whole thing on them.

I think they're taking the "long" view.

Sure some will but it is about tlme someone spoke up for some of the "old ideas" that got us through the depression and WW2.A lot more personal responsibility and self reliance. AMERICANS had better get ready to tighten our belts. The brown stuff is about to hit a big fan.

As far as John McBush being "old fashioned" that's an understatement, John McBush is out to keep the adage "keep making the same mistake over & over & over again & if you get the same out come don't expect anything good".
John McBush is doing Vietnam all over again & it just won't make Iraq better.
Patricia
Palmdale, Ca.

McCain is so old, that when the Lord said,"Let there be light". McCain was there to flip the switch.

I cannot begin to understand why he wants the presidency. He should be enjoying a nice quiet retirement with his wife.

At leasts his “old-fashioned” ideas are based in the mainstream of religous feeling, unlike the BLT based new progressive ideas of one soon to be President Obama. Loved the article in Time about his mother, explains some things.

I’m not sure if it will be his age as much as him being out of touch with what really matters to us in this time of crisis – although I truly respect the guy and the sacrifices he’s made for our country, I think once people really get to see where he stands on the issues and get past the war hero stuff that’s gotten him this far – he want stand a chance in the general election. Look at where this we’re Americans and we don’t back down from a fight mentality has gotten us so far, frankly I’m tired of it and am ready for real change.

Forget about "old fashioned" he's just old thinking. That together with the 100 years in Iraq plan and he is out!

Jack, I don't want McCain either, but at least if its Clinton on the ticket, you know, we will be speard a one party state.

Jack,do you mean old fashion ideas like love of country,respect for the office of president,and repect for our military leaders.Old fashioned ideas like earning your own way and not depending on the government to solve all one's problems.After listening to these two dems lie,cover up,and act like the have no idea what's going on their lives,I'm glad to see McCain have an old fashion idea,called honesty!

Here is what I worry about with McBush...He wants to keep us at war and won't rule out fighting anyone else that gets in our way. George Bush told british press that God told him to save the people in Iraq. A born again christian president with god whispering in his ear vs some crazy sect of muslims that want to kill us equals WW3. So I guess the question would be, is talking to your enemies instead of invading your enemies old fashioned?

Obama's battle cry, "Change," resounded so solidly with America that all the other candidates hopped on the band wagon. That answers the question.

George Bush has killed the chance of a white middle aged, or older, man from winning the White House any time in the foreseeable future. That's the primary subconscious reason Biden, Dodd, Edwards, Richardson, and so many tremendously qualified candidates were passed over so quickly.

If by 'old fashioned' you mean his unswerving adherence to supporting the powers that be, his devotion to Reaganism, his cowtowing to the lunatic religious fringes, his love of war, and his total disregard for the common person, then I think him being old fashioned is a problem. At least for you and I, Jack, if not for the powers that be, Reaganism, the lunatics, and war.

Jack, the Democrats are looking for any way to discredit the GOP., sot hey look at him as an old man, and they call his ideas "old", while their candidates indicate it is time for a change, whatever the changes
are possible.

What do they expect he 100 years old. I don't believe they will think hes modern, he doesn't even look modern. Old fashion, he all white.

McCain's temper worries me (this can be an early indication of dementia)
although since he has been the nominee I think they have given him some kind of sedative to keep him calm.Apart from that he is wrong on every issue – the war, healthcare,family planning etc, he even voted against the civil rights act – his friends Graham & lieberman are eerie – what's with that trio?
Joan North Carolina.

I think it is fair to say McCain will get his share of voters from people his age or older that perceive him as being in touch with their ideas. However, the young will view him as someone with "old-fashioned" and out of touch ideas.

the republican knew going into08 this was a lost cause, he's been passed over for so long by his own tribe, he has become there form of sacrifice war the mess at home they lost before the game even started.. what would his wife do take phone call's?

I'm not sure about others, but I sure worry about this guys instincts. He wants to cling to patriotism, but with ten trillion in debt, a half trillion in deficit, no energy, no energy policy, ongoing war that gets murkier by the week, a new leader is going to have to be pretty quick on their feet to dance around the problems Bush is going to leave them. Patriotism is nice when you can afford it, but at some point preservation of the nation has to be considered.

If Grampa John thinks abstinance is such a good plan, he should consider this: EVERY unplanned pregnancy is the result of the failure of abstinance. If he thinks young people can protect themselves against pregnancy and disease with just the magic word "NO", he obviously does not remember what it was like to be young. We have enough geezers trying to tell us what we should not do. We don't need another one in the White House.

Alan B
Eden Prairie, MN

Jack, I totally think that voters are going to have a problem with McCain's old-fashioned ideas. Especially because all McCain's ideas come from the Jurassic Period.

Hi jack
We already know old people cant help the way they think,you should know that yourself.you just dont think as bad as McCain and where glad you dont clearwater Fl

If you are a true conservative Republican, I think you have to worry about with McCain, because he will say anything to get their votes. From what I can see up to this point, it's not working very well. His approach and ideas are really old. What does he think is going on in the Republican party, that everyone is stupid, or will just vote for him for president? I don't think so.
The idea of being a maverick is unsettling and if he becomes President, I think he will go back on everything he has said to get the conservative vote. It won't be a good look.

We live in a time where things change rapidly and our way of thinking needs to be able to keep up with them. As someone living in Maine, the state that had some schools allowed to give out birth control to middle school girls, I can see clearly that an abstinence only sex education policy won't work. The fact that McCain supports this policy is just one of many things that show his vision for America would have been great, about 20 or 30 years ago. Maybe he should have ran for president back then.

McCain needs to learn that there is a significant difference between "conservative" and "antiquated".

Yes, Jack, I believe so. The country is looking for change not more of the same. He is banking on his being held a POW to gain sympathy from the voters and get him elected. I do not think that will happen. I respect what he gave up for this country but that does not make him Presidential material. He already acts like he is losing it . Joe Leiberman having to whisper in his ear to correct what he has said, does not give me confidence.

Jack

Was John McCain the guy who said there were radio tubes
in the computer?

Jerry
Roselle, Illinois

Well, old fashioned ideas? Maybe...but very effective I may say. The Republican Party massively supported Obama in Iowa..and look...he is gonna win!!
They got rid of Clinton for good...

The problem is he seems to have no ideas, outside his training as an army man. His biography tour is a weird notion. One doesn't doubt his honor, but is that enough? A fireside president telling stories to the nation about courage, comradeship, patriotism? Sounds like a WW II movie... (american side).

John McCain is so old, that God removed one of HIS ribs to create Adam! Of course his ideas are old-fashioned.
Let's get a younger candidate, someone with more pep in his step. Someone like Moses!

McCain is part of the military industrial complex that president Eisenhower warned us about. We need someone that dosen't have a history with the military and will expect accountability from the pentagon. His values are not only "old school", but an anachronism in this era. Now is the needed time for change starting with the budget of the military and the waste it generates.

It will be his old ideas, not his old fashioned ideas that will get him. Old as in stale, tired, discredited, irrelevent. Old fashiioned ideas can still resonate, such as ideas from the Bill of Rights or the Constitution. Although McCain is energetic FOR HIS AGE, he will have plenty of Fred Thompson moments along the way. He will be the butt of every joke from every comic and talk show host from coast to coast. He will have his sound bites shown back-to-back with Obama's on the nightly news, and eventually he will have to appear with Obama in a debate or two. The contrast will not be flattering to Mccain.

This is not always a problem. Sometimes old ideas would be a good thing and some of us still agree with them. We haven't voted yet.

Old fashioned? No. Out of touch with reality? Yes. He's weak on the economy and gung ho on military aggression and nation building.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. People are acting like someone in their 70s is feeble minded with one foot in the grave. I know plent of vibrant, intelligent, energetic people of that age. The problem with McCain is his single-minded approach to Iraq, he has a temper worthy of anger management classes, absolutely no economic plan. The man is not presidential material, period.

If McCain goes through the typical aging transformation at an average President goes through while in office, he will be about 300 years old by the time he gets through his first term.
A few years back I used to like the moderate McCain, most of the conservative values you've mentioned he didn't have a few years ago, He's just saying what the right-wingers want them to say to make them happy. In doing that, he's lost a lot of credibility with me.

Getting back to "old values" wouldn't be all that bad. What we need is someone with sound judgment, integrity, and honesty. It's been missing the last 7 years, and the two Democratic candidates don't have it either. The only thing Hillary knows about integrity is how to spell it (maybe).

Yea, but it will be ideas like Warmongering and continuing Bush's tax cuts to billionaires, that will do him in. Like you said, Abstinence Only will reinforce an image of being old fashioned and married to Bush's policies. Also, don't be surprised during the debates when McCain has more "senior moments" and says things that the press currently gives him free passes on. Those debates from a Republican standpoint, are going to be ugly. I'd be surprised if there is more than one.

Jack, the voters will have a problem with McCain's old fashioned ideas not because he's old, but because his ideas are.

I'm forced to retire from my job at 65. McCain would begin the most difficult and important job in the world at 72.

What's wrong with this picture?

I think Mccain just wants his name on the Guinness book of records. Once he"s sure he got his name he will leave everything to Dr Rice. By the way does any of you two (i mean You and Wolf)support Mccain?

Emmanuel from Las Vegas

Let's not be too hard on John MCCain just because he's old. Afterall, he has the additional burden of channeling Barry Goldwater.

Yes, McCain is way out of date to be president. It's not his fault; he's in his 70's and was born before wwII. His is against birth control pills being covered by medical insurance. I wonder if he feels the same way about Viagra (Cealis, etc.) ; I am guessing he is for viagra coverage, like most men his age. I know this man; we were born in the same month of the year l936. I am for Obama; he is for reproductive rights for women. Sally in Ohio

Jack:

Living in "flyover" country, some of us believe that some "old fashioned" ideas are actually virtues. Is there something wrong with fidelity, honesty and commitment to duty? McCain's age is an issue, not because he is old fashioned, but because he is 72 years old.

Dear Jack, in a moment where science is clear under the attack of extreme right groups, it is concerning to elect someone with obsolete ideas. One thing is what you beleive is morally correct, the other thing is to make decisions or to enforce policies that will hurt instead of helping and guing the country. The issue is that it is much easier to control and manipulate a misinformed population.

Regards,

Marco

I'll take the old man with the experience over the young messianic upstart every time. But I'm skeptical about the rest of the country agreeing with me.

No. Most people will vote for Barack Obama, the candidate for change! Yep, the candidate that will change his mind every couple of weeks on an issue (NAFTA, Iraq troop pullouts, public financing of the general election). For Barack Obama, the candidate of hope. Yep, the candidate whom I hope will not screw up America with his ever changing views or his lack of original ideas. I think everyone is so focused on not electing another Clinton (Hillary Rodham Clinton) or Bush (John McCain Bush), that people, especially the Obamedia, have not taken a good look at Barack Obama, the unoriginal, idea-thief and flip-flopper.

Maybe third time is charm. (I've unsuccessfully tried to comment.)

I'm only ten years younger than McCain, but I'm appalled at his stand on birth control. I think that age is only part of the equation...he has also spent his life in male bastions: the military and Congress. We can't afford another macho shoot-from-the-hip cowboy in the White House.

Jack

Old fashion ideas are not the problem. The man is out of touch

He gives a speech, his handlers check the polls, then he changes his stance.

Nah, Jack old fashion ideas are not the problem, communication is the problem.

Earth to McCain, Earth to McCain! Hey we're over here!

Cinti, Ohio

John McCain's time to be elected was in 2000. He's not only 8 years older now, he's also bought into the Bush policies, which he ran strongly against 8 years ago. I think that fight with his own party (Bush was the designated heir apparent before the primaries even began) also wore him down. He's done, kaput, not to be trusted with today's complexities, esp. when all he seems to be able to focus on is Iraq, and even then misspeaks or seems a bit addled when answering questions.

There’s one old fashioned idea that he brings to the campaign that will be put to the test.

The idea that the respect, well earned by long past heroism, entitles one to be excused for all sorts of flip-flops, senior moments, and signing on to bad policy.

Will admiration for past courage trump good sense?