John McCain and Barack Obama shake hands at the debate prior to the New Hampshire primary in January. Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
If John McCain and Barack Obama end up facing each other in November, it would be a historic election representing a true generational battle.
The match-up would pit the 71-year-old McCain, who if elected would become the oldest president ever, against the 46-year-old Obama, who would be one of the youngest.
We're starting to get a glimpse of what this race would be all about. By seizing on the mantle of change, Obama has drawn record numbers of young voters to the polls who see him a something of a rock star.
And, after their respective victories in the Potomac Primaries on Tuesday, both men seemed to set their sights on each other. McCain called hope a "powerful thing", saying he's seen men's hopes tested in hard and cruel ways.
He then went on to contrast his POW experience with Obama's speeches, adding: "To encourage a country with only rhetoric rather than sound and proven ideas that trust in the strength and courage of free people is not a promise of hope. It is a platitude." Those would be classified as "fightin' words." McCain says, "I'm fired up and ready to go."
The age difference isn't lost on Obama either. He points out McCain's "half-century of service" to the country. In his speech the other night, Obama tied McCain to President Bush's "failed policies of the past" adding, "George Bush won't be on the ballot this November, but his war and his tax cuts for the wealthy will."
What a race it would be.
Here’s my question to you: In a hypothetical match-up between John McCain and Barack Obama, who wins the generational battle?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jon writes:
Barack, in a heartbeat. I can't imagine this country electing another tired old man to be president. You can clearly hear the age in McCain’s voice when he speaks. He deserves respect and admiration for his service, but not the presidency. Let's do what JFK once said about passing the torch to a new generation.
Joan from New York City writes:
I'm a 76-year-old white woman, but Barack really turns me on. I don't want an old war-monger for president. I don't want a George Bush clone for president. I want a young, fresh, energetic, progressive person for president. Above all, I want a president who will, at last, transcend the racial divide in this country and restore our good image throughout the world.
Jonathan writes:
Even though I'm a younger voter, I'd have to go with McCain in this election. I'm pretty sure Obama would win because people generally seem to think that if you vote for another party, suddenly we'll have people instead of politicians in office. I like Obama, and would take him over most of the other candidates any day, but I think he's quite short-sighted, while I believe that McCain has a better perspective on things.
Jason from Denver, Colorado writes:
The non-baby boomers of this country are sick and tired of seeing "old" white men run this country into the ground! Obama will definitely win with the younger crowd as he's inspired throughout the primaries. He connects with us in ways that "grandpa" can't! It's time to move forward in this country instead of backwards.
Perry from Baltimore writes:
I am a 70-year-old retiree and I think John McCain is well passed it. My generation has had its chance, and we screwed it up and elected Bush. Obama represents and embodies the future: give him the reins of government and let the old coots (like me) head out to pasture where we belong.