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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Some voters are worried John McCain will bring "old-fashioned" views into the White House if he wins.
Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee says that swing voters in focus groups raised the issue of McCain's age on their own.
McCain, at 72, would be the oldest president elected to a first term. Dean says voters were concerned about both his health and his outdated ideas. For example – Some women were shocked at his support for abstinence-only sex education and his opposition to health insurance paying for birth control pills. They reportedly said, "This guy is out of step with what modern views are." No kidding.
Dean says even though McCain's age is a factor for voters, he doubts the Democratic Party will use it as an issue during the general election, adding that "there's a somewhat higher ethical bar on our side of the aisle." Please.
Instead, Dean says the Democrats will portray McCain as "wishy-washy" on key issues, things like changing his positions on taxes and illegal immigration in order to win over Republican voters in the primaries. Of course, this flip-flopping argument is what partly did in Democrat John Kerry in the 2004 election.
The Republican National Committee dismissed the comments about McCain's age and said the upcoming election would be about "judgment, character, vision and leadership – all things voters associate with John McCain."
Here’s my question to you: Given John McCain’s age, will voters have an issue with what some see as “old-fashioned” ideas?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Robert from North Port, Florida writes:
Jack, Assuming Obama is the Democratic nominee, you can be sure 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.
Fabienne writes:
If Clinton can forget important things at 11pm because she is 60, can you imagine McCain at 72? McCain is too old, too old-fashioned, too weak and too Bush-related! We need a government makeover and it's time to bring some fresh paint into the house.
Jenn from Pittsburgh writes:
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 lifetime of experience that should comfort, not frighten voters.
Mary writes:
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.
Tracy from Huntsville, Alabama writes:
Am I worried about McCain's age? Maybe. Does that have to do with his "old-fashioned" ideas? Not necessarily. His outdated ideas have more to do with the Republican Party platform, not his age.
Brian from Trinidad writes:
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.
Mary Jo from Pittsburgh writes:
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.