Dean Says Age an Issue

Howard Dean signalled that the Democrats big Mac attack may be most effective if they focus on his age:

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday that swing voters participating in focus groups commissioned by the D.N.C. bring up John McCain's age unprompted.

"We didn't bring it up, but they volunteered it," said Dean who explained that voters have two concerns about McCain's age. "One was a health concern, the other was, and this is really interesting . . . that his views are old-fashioned."

But he also recognizes that using the age issue is tricky, both ethically and alienating senior voters:

"I doubt we will bring it up in the election," said Dean, referring to the age issue. "There is somewhat of a higher ethical bar on what we do."

Personally I don't have any qualms whatsoever about McCain's age. He appears to be as healthy and vigorous as men twenty years younger. He appears far younger than Bob Dole in 1996 to whom he's often compared. And even so, wisdom and experience balances things out nicely. But whether the general population sees it that way? I don't know. I'm more concerned about the generation difference and perception. If the American public sees that the country on the "wrong track" and prefers a candidate to represent change, it is far easier for a younger candidate to represent that change. And that's how the Democrats will use McCain's age against him.