by Mark Silva
Barack Obama is 47 today.
That will serve as a cause for contrasts this summer, with his Republican rival, John McCain, turning 72 toward the end of this month.
Not only their candidacies, but also the tickets they assemble this month, are likely to be built around age and experience.
McCain could turn toward a running mate who balances his own age, and Obama could look toward one who balances his. Or Obama could bank on youth, assembling, as Bill Clinton and Al Gore did in 1992, a brash young team.
Should he be elected president in November, Obama won't be the youngest ever chosen. John Kennedy was, in 1960, elected at the age of 43. Clinton was 46 at election.
But just as Obama will play on all that his relative youthfulness represents - those messages of "hope" and "change'' which have driven his campaign from the start - McCain will be trading on his experience. "The Commander-in-Chief,'' as McCain puts it, "doesn't get a learning curve.''
And Obama's supporters are playing the age card as well.
In Florida, home to a greater percentage of voters over 65 than any other state, Obama's supporters fanned out on Sunday to knock on 47 doors in Obama's honor.
Yet the canvassers, each assigned 47 knocks, were to deliver a message about experience.
"Sen. Obama's background as a community organizer means he understands the value of reaching in Florida communities to talk about his vision for turning the page on the failed politics of the past," Steve Schale, director of Obama's Florida campaign, said. "In honor of Sen. Obama's birthday, our volunteers will talk to their neighbors to share the story of his lifetime; a story of bringing people together to create positive change as a community organizer, a civil rights lawyer, a constitutional law professor, a state ssenator, and now a U.S. senator."
For his part, Obama will campaign in Michigan today, delivering a message in Lansing about "creating a 21st Century energy environment.''
McCain will campaign in Sturgis, S.D., at the Buffalo Chip Campground.







Comments
"Sen. Obama's background as a community organizer means he understands the value of reaching in Florida communities..." and blah, blah blah, the Obamabots mechanically intone.
Tell us, 'bots. What does Obama's background as a ruthless Chicago Machine hack who helped fund Tony Rezko's vermin infested public housing mean?
Posted by: MJ | August 4, 2008 6:59 AM
The Obamaites and some in the media keep citing age in this race as though it somehow benefits Obama. And then some Obama acolytes made fun of McCain calling him "gramps" or some such. Here's a clue: There are an estimated 70 MILLION American citizens over the age of 55 and ALL of them are legally able to VOTE! So go ahead and insult all of us by trying to make McCain's age an issue...and you will hear from us on Nov. 4.
Posted by: Danforth | August 4, 2008 8:04 AM
"Tell us, 'bots."
If you want to see a bot, look in the mirror. You have your Republican talking points down pat.
Posted by: Roland Buck | August 4, 2008 8:15 AM
When I get on a plane, I have a sense of relief when the pilot has gray hair. That means he has a lot of experience and in a critical situation, he will know how to react. The same is true in a race for president and commander in chief. An older experienced, proven leader versus a young guy with no leadership experience whatsoever. Give me the guy with 4 bars on his shoulders who knows how to take off and land this plane!
Posted by: Sanbourne | August 4, 2008 8:16 AM
What does it say about John McCain when he takes campaing money from Karl Rove? McCain believes Rove smeared him and his family in South Carolina - yet he still takes Rove's money.
Rove is to pimp as McCain is to...
Posted by: Zook | August 4, 2008 9:02 AM
Tell us MJ...Do you have ADD? Do you find it hard to stay on topic? Talk about blah blah blah...
Posted by: What babies | August 4, 2008 9:12 AM
McCain will campaign in Sturgis, S.D., at the Buffalo Chip Campground.
How fitting....McSame can really flip a chip.
Posted by: stinky | August 4, 2008 9:22 AM
And when brother Obama becomes president of america it is then when we will see all america drip in its red, white and blue blood to stain its flag and streets for all the people all of the time. The slaughter and annihilation of america is coming upon us and america is powerless in Brother Obamas eternal darkness to cease their fate. Then america will learn of destiny.
OBAMA 08!!
Posted by: Al-sawi | August 4, 2008 9:37 AM
MJ,
The anger you've shown displays how the very mention of Obama makes your skin crawl. This is terribly unfortunate. I hope you realize no one on this planet is perfect. Rather, it is the imperfections that make us human. We are found guilty by associations and actual involvement. In Obama's case, I feel he's the product of the former. Whomever you vote for as our nation's next president I hope you choose him due to his profound ideas and determination and not you voting out of brute anger.
Posted by: Sphinx | August 4, 2008 9:48 AM
It takes two seconds to look up Obama's results as an Organizer ha ha, there's nothin there folks ha. Now, his ability might have been better to organize if he had the Media supporting him back then as he does now. This article was a joke as it talked about McCains age and then all about Obama's supposed experience in a big paragraph after that ha ha.
Anyone answering this post....I know Obama does a lot of speeches, and talks a lot, but name something BIG that he actually accomplished in his lifetime, as Senator, community organizer, you name it??
Posted by: Shake the fence | August 4, 2008 10:04 AM
A birthday present for St. Barack, one that will cause doom and gloom at the Swamp: McCain has overtaken Obama, albeit narrowly, in the polls:
"The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows the race for the White House is tied with Barack Obama and John McCain each attracting 44% of the vote. However, when "leaners" are included, it’s McCain 47% and Obama 46%. This is the first time McCain has enjoyed even a statistically insignificant advantage of any sort since Obama clinched the Democratic nomination on June 3 (see recent daily results)... A week ago today, Obama had a three-percentage point lead and the candidates were even among unaffiliated voters."
Posted by: Bruce | August 4, 2008 10:48 AM
For all this talk about McCain's vast experience, I'd be in hearing from his supporters of maybe one or two of his accomplishments during his many years in the Senate.
Only thing I can recall is McCain-Feingold, a vestige of the days when McCain was merely in 95% lockstep with the knuckledraggers.
Posted by: a blinkin | August 4, 2008 11:40 AM
Mark Silva, what you just did was worse than playing the race card. Did you happen to know that age discrimination is illegal in this country.
Isn't it convenient that Obam is campaigning in MI today after yesterday saying that FL and MI should be 100% seated at the DNC. What a freakin double speak numchuck. Does he think we are all to stupid to see what he is trying to do?
Posted by: RFB-IL | August 4, 2008 11:59 AM
McCain's been office for 20 years? He has probably signed hundreds of Bills, if not thousands.
Some significant things though are:
1. Integritty something he has always been true to is not asking for ear marks in his Bills, he is really against Government waste, and has a trak record to prove it.
It is something he preaches day in ,and day out from the beginning fo his career. I think this is probably one of his best qualifications we are in a recession, and not according to him, but in times like this you dont start new social programs, you cut spending. and balance the budget, then you can add on the luxuries.
Reaching across the aisle, he is not afraid to go against his party, and he has kept his postion for 20 years. That is not Easy to go against your peers, and stand for what you or your supported beleive in.
Look what happen to Liberman for trying be a Moderate.
But if you really want to know.
Here is a link to thousands of things MccAin has done in Congress, signed, supported, and co sponsored with even democrats.
http://eforum.reviewjournal.com/lv/showt...
This covers almost every topic the Government work on that McCain has ever been part of.
Go ahead blinkin, what legislative accomplishment has obama got?? He's been dubbed the most LIBERAL senator there is, and nothing he's done has shown that he has worked across the isle. His POW story shows what kind of character this man has.
Posted by: Shake the fence | August 4, 2008 12:59 PM
47 knocks for 47 years, that's pretty clever. How about 57 knocks for 57 states? That would be a bit more productive, don't you think?
Posted by: Ryan | August 4, 2008 1:47 PM
There are an estimated 70 MILLION American citizens over the age of 55 and ALL of them are legally able to VOTE! So go ahead and insult all of us by trying to make McCain's age an issue...and you will hear from us on Nov. 4.
Posted by: Danforth | August 4, 2008 8:04 AM
As a white haired great-grandmother, I can categorically promise that not every citizen over the age of 55 can legally vote, but hen you obviously don't care about facts. But here's another fact for you: I will proudly vote for Obama! McCain has sold his soul to the devil by sucking up to Bush and Rove after they smeared him mercilessly in 2000. If he can be cowed by the likes of W, how can we expect him to "man up" against the leaders of Iran, North Korea, etc??
Posted by: Susana | August 4, 2008 1:52 PM
Sanbourne,
Unfortunately, the grey haired pilot you're referencing crashed his plane 5 times. I don't want him as my pilot, or President!
Posted by: Neal | August 4, 2008 2:03 PM
Sanbourne, that's a funny analogy. You are obviously unaware of McCrash's flight record. Of course he crashed four airplanes when he was young and inexperienced which might make your point. He'd never crash a plane now that he's older than dirt. Right?
Posted by: Bubba | August 4, 2008 2:11 PM
Ask NOT, "What is McCain's age?", but ask "Who is McCain's running mate?"
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | August 4, 2008 3:17 PM
Neal and Bubba -- I was going to respond to Sanbourne just as you did! Keep me off his plane, please!
Further, I'm a 50+ white female who fervently supports the Obama candidacy.
Too many lies from McCain. Not only does he not say what he's for, he continually changes his stances, and he has a habit of lying about his past voting record. Or maybe that's just memory lapse. In either case, he cannot be trusted to do the right thing for Americans!
Posted by: karenann | August 4, 2008 3:44 PM
Sanbourne, McCain has been the pilot of five jets that have crashed or blown up. That does not make him a good pilot or a good president. You can go ahead and ride in his planes if you'd like. What are the odds of five? Really. Why did the Navy keep a bottom of the barrel academy graduate who crashed five planes around? Answer is Daddy and Grandpa. That makes for the worst kind of a leader. Sounds like a Bush I know.
Posted by: Vivian | August 4, 2008 11:57 PM
Nothing new since we have had so many before=.=". Im dying for a promo or something I mean, isnt it almost time? We should be seeing the girls by now.Just look at Lindsay's hot and sexy photos at celebrity big people dating site
~~~ Bigdaddymatch.com~~~
who wants to find a real man to spoil and be spoiled! Is she unhappy with her bf? Just curious!
Posted by: bbwofnanncy | August 5, 2008 3:13 AM