Murtha says McCain too old to be president

WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. John Murtha said Wednesday that Republican Sen. John McCain is too old to be president. Murtha is 75, four years older than McCain. He says they are nearly the same age, and the rigors and stress of running the country is too much for guys their age.

"I've served with seven presidents," Murtha told a union audience. "When they come in, they all make mistakes. They all get older."

"This one guy running is about as old as me," he said, drawing laughter and applause. "Let me tell you something, it's no old man's job."

If elected, McCain would be the oldest man to become president at age 72. Ronald Reagan became president at age 69, but he served as president for eight years and was just a few weeks shy of his 78th birthday when he left office.

McCain, in an interview with CNN on Wednesday, said, "All I can tell you is that I admire and respect Jack Murtha. Speak for yourself, Jack. I'm doing fine. Thanks."

Murtha, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, made the comments while introducing the candidate he has endorsed, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, to the AFL-CIO's Building Trades National Legislative Conference.

Clinton referred to Murtha's introduction when she took the stage, saying she was grateful to have his endorsement and agreed with his sentiment that it will be difficult to turn around all the damage of the Bush administration. She didn't mention his comments on McCain's age, and the campaign sought to distance itself from the comments.

Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said Clinton "considers Senator McCain a friend, and she respects him. But it's not his age she has a problem with, its his ideas for the future."

Earlier this week, McCain was asked about his age and he joked about it, at first feigning sleep.

"Watch me campaign. We keep a heavier schedule. We campaign harder," he said Monday during The Associated Press annual meeting. "People will judge me by my performance. I am confident that my energy, my intellect, my experience, and my judgment is what American people will _ hopefully that they will view me as qualified to be president of the United States."

His campaign said Wednesday Murtha's comments were "nonsense attacks."

Of the Democratic candidates, Clinton is 60 and Sen. Barack Obama is 46.

McCain and Murtha are both Vietnam veterans who have worked closely on national security issues. Age hasn't slowed Murtha down. After Democrats took control of the House in the 2006 election, Murtha sought the House majority leader position but was defeated.

Comments

[Sumocat]

The years of Reagan, the temper of Bush Sr., the wisdom of Bush Jr., John McCain has all the makings of a fine President.

[sillyseason]

I don't think John McCain is too old to be Commander In Chief. I think he is just too much like our current President to be the next CIC. When you hear both of their words on the same issues, they appear to be "joined at the hip." It's scary.

The DNC will surely paint him that way as evidenced by the first TV ad they've created to "reintroduce" John McCain to American voters. Watch the vid below. You'll see what I mean.

TV Ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRV8Q9IBDxk

*

[HatingTheGame]

Why is McNutjob there? Because the Repugs don't want the presidency. This is a gift to Hillary, and then they get set to be the opposition, and further destroy the country. Just like they did in 1996 nominating another geriatric war hero, and then letting him honorably sail into the sunset of viagra ads.

That's why Hill and Bill are always singing McInsane's praises. They are setting up the straw man for the beating.

Quid pro quo. Hill doesn't prosecute the criminal cabal that has destroyed this country's reputation around the world, destroyed the equity base of the middle class, and has demoralized the military might of this country. Oh, and ripped the treasury of billions of dollars to their cronies and political supporters, not to mention the underworld.

This has Rovean deviousness written all over it.

America, get set to be played like a skin flute again...and again and again.

[JXB]

Just what the Clinton campaign needs after Ferraro. A supporter making discriminatory statements on the basis of age. Wonder if Murtha voted for or against the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

[veteran1964]

Why do you think that Lieberman is leashed to McCain's side? The little turncoat is trying to get the Vice-Presidential nomination for the Republican Party...Way to GO NEW YORK....You thought that he cared about you!!!!!!!!!! Good thinking. Now you have John McCain, unable to read teleprompters and Lieberman whispering in his ear after every gaaff.....Oh well, that's America...Another old codger in Washington, with Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh and Carl Rove calling the shots.....­Sickening! Wake up PENNSYLVANIA...WAKE UP......YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU MAY CREATE THIS TUESDAY.....IF YO VOTE FOR CLINTON, START WORKING AT MCDONALDS, BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU....

[cynicism101]

What does New York have to do with Senator Lieberman?

Or are you trying to demote the state of Connecticut to being a part of New York?

[BlackLeatherRain]

For putting Lieberman back in the running, CT should be demoted as an annex of Cleveland.

[ignorantwillyharper]

You never know if someone this old and becoming demented, may wake up some morning and say "life's not worth living, but why should I go out by myself". Major, would you hand me the football suitcase?
But he's also a known as crook in D.C.. He talks a good case in front of the people, but he make's backroom deals by the hundreds and all for himself for millions of dollars of pay off. He's just a bitter old rich guy...not to be trusted. I was a republican for some forty-five years that is, until Bush and we sure as hell don't ever want another one of them!

[cynicism101]

Ahh, John McCain's a crook now? Any evidence beyond sound-bites and anecdotes to back that acquisition?

And not to rain on your parade, and I don't know your financial status, but it seems you have some experience in the bitter old guy department.

[cynicism101]

err, make that *accusation*

[neocon43]

Hey cynicism101.You are right.Watch Mccain out camapign Obama on energy alone.All he has to do is say look at my mom who is 94 and I would suggest as coherent as Obama is!

[Wildcatdiva]

Some of you people are the ones that continuously vote these geezers back into office but now you cry about nothing changing in Washington. Some of you want the status quo to remain; it keeps your pockets lined. Most of Congress have been there too damn long and need to retire or be retired. The youth vote is feared because it means change is on the horizon. Within the next four years, there will be major change in Washington. The youth along with change minded folks are now engaged. Some of Congress are seeing the handwriting on the wall and are retiring on their own, others...well... *shrug*

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

No kidding. Murtha is also too old to serve in Congress.

[MsLiz]

McCain described his audience at a recent speech as being the generation that lived throught the Depression and fought WWII. Just how old does McCain think voters are? Doesn't he realize that the Depression peaked in 1932, and people who were born that year are now 75-76?
http://www.bobpazsignshop.com/images/OldFartXingL394.jpg

[monsieurjac]

Brilliant observation Einstein. How about he sounds pretty insane too ?

[castlerider]

We can all agree on one thing. Whoever takes over this ship is going to have a lot of chaos and a hell of a lot of work cleaning up this MESS. When one thinks of the pressure, it is realistiically sound to imagine that the pressure while be so incredibly hard, it will tax the hell out of whoever's to be president.
Just look at those graphs of Bondad's... All the damn money we have lost!
How will we replace it to do all the things that so urgently need to be done for this country?
It will kick McCain's ass. He will get so old so fast, it will be unreal. Hillary will get her butt worn out so bad, she'll be a sleepless wreck.
In the end, Obama's actually the one who will probably be best fit and capable to think clear enough through all that pressure and chaos to deal with so many thankless and deblitating moments to come.
Think about it.

[Grunty1]

McCain thinks that everything is dandy, kind of like Bush. No chaos and work if you don't there is.

[veteran1964]

McCain is so damn old Hillary calls him Grandpa...Don't worry, McCain-Clinton is the ticket because she is talking more and more like a Republican anyway. Also, she is close friends with Lieberman and he is considering in giving the keynote speech at the Republican Convention. Don't worry Hillary McCain lovers, you are in the middle of our nation's destruction, like Osama Bin Laden said, so you guys just keep throwing the shit while we have to eat it to survive.

Bin Laden stated that it will not be only bombs that will destroy America, it will be the economy. He said gas will start it and we, the ignorant ones, will let the rest help us fall. GUESS WHAT PEOPLE IN PENNSYLVAN­IA!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE ABOUT TO VOTE AND IF YOU VOTE HILLARY OR MCCAIN, OUR DEMISE WILL BE QUICK. Don't believe me? Go to school and look at the math. Big business is running with their billions of profits, Oil companies are getting richer every day, while we suffer, Food is 70% higher than last year, Electric bills are doubling, Banks are denying loans, while their CEO's are buying their fifth and sixth homes, Republicans are laughing at us every day because we are poor and cannot pay our bills......REMEMBER THIS PENNSYLVANIA WHEN YOU GO TO THE VOTING BOOTH......You are your own savior or destroyer.­.....Think before you vote.

[new logic]

veteran196­4.........­and when the American dollar bottoms out,the enemy is at the gate and there are food riots; the rich and well connected will get into their private jets/helicopters ect. and jet of to their homes/vill­as/estates­/compounds in St. Barts ect. to wait until the dust clears.
we will still be wondering, how did it come to this

[scorpioleidy]

And he said that OUT LOUD????!!!!!!
LMAO!!!
OBAMA '08

[joeholla]

got to love how politics's works.
get the old guy to attack on age.
get a black guy to attack on race.
get a woman to attack on gender.
get a "working class guy" to attack on class.

[cynicism101]

How courageous Mr Murtha. Where was your age bias when both you, and Senator Byrd were running for reelection?

Seriously, since you're finding the act of governing to be so difficult in your old age - well, step up. Do the honorable thing and resign your seat.

[ethearch]

Being a Congressman is a piece of cake. They put in what, 30 weeks of work a year, if that ?

The presidency is a full time job. Take George W. Bush for instance. The man works...oh nevermind. I just killed my own argument.

[BlackLeatherRain]

Hey! It's HARD WORK. He told us so. Repeatedly.

[kanyingi]

I just question McCain's mental capacity to run the country. He has made too many gaffes on Iraq (his strong suit) that his judgement is questionable.