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

[Marichu]

Bush has literally boxed himself into a corner. Knowing how misleading the information generated by his administration and his underlings was, he can"t back out. If Bush called it anything but justifiable, then the alternative would be the truth and that could be damaging to all those involved. And in their case, the truth most certainly will not set them free! He has no choice but to maintain a military presence in Iraq until the end of his term.

[RobtBrock]

McCain still fancies himself to be a young fighter-pilot - a youngish stud with a tropy wife. Just don't look at his teeth that are in a glass on the nightstand next to his bed.

[Marichu]

I would imagine that Murtha is speaking from first hand knowledge. Who better than a fellow septuagenarian understands some of the obstacles that come with the onset of aging.

[Marichu]

OOOPS! Wrong thread!

[shotgunblast]

You're too old! No, you're too old!.........What were we talking about? ;^)

[ohiomark]

Murtha is too senile to be in Congress, but the dopey Democrats in his district keep re-electing him.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This also explains why Dennis Kucinich keeps getting re-elected in Cleveland.

[shotgunblast]

Kinda like you thinking anybody cares what you blog. Ace of Spades is waiting for you.

[Pangs]

I was watching this guy on Funnyordie a couple weeks ago and he said some pretty funny stuff about The prospect of a man McCain's age becomming president.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/4be45e7854

[ann1]

He is too old!

[noneIn2008]

More proof, we need term limits. Murtha is just another old irrelevant babbling corrupt politician. That's a redundant line. Throw the bums out.

[gonavy]

Why are the dems letting Murtha out of his box. This guy is an absolute joke. Hey Murtha, bribed anyone lately?

[iPolitics]

You're clueless. McCain called Murtha too old when he disagreed with the Iraq War. McCain is a warmonger who allowed 4,000+ American heroes die in Iraq and many nore in Iran if he gets his way

[gonavy]

No, you're clueless. See I can do it too.

Murtha was caught on tape soliciting a bribe years ago and should have gone to jail, or at least lost his seat.

[spicegal]

McCain is too old for God's sake. I love old people, and am not that far away from being "old" myself. In fact, I'm a nurse and have cared for many old people. But seriously, what 72 year old in his right mind would want to tackle the presidency? My father is 72, and he thinks the guy is nuts for wanting the job. I was just reading where someone wanted to know why McCain goes around talking about his high school football days all the time. Well, hello. Guess what folks? Reminiscing is what old folks do. It's normal and part of the aging process. At 72, McCain is right on target. So, he's using this campaign (remember that bio tour) to do what old people do as they rapidly approach the end of their life. Long term memory gets better, and short term memory starts go. John McCain already can't keep straight what's going on in Iraq or who's fighting who. He said he's not too up on the economy. These aren't just gaffes. I guarantee he's losing his mental sharpness. And can you just imagine what stress will do to his mental acuity? He will be impaired. I promise. Americans and the media are in serious denial about this. Is this the Republican's back door way of getting someone else in there? How long do you think he'll last, or be able to make reasonable decisions. He'll have to delegate everything, or else be declared unfit.

[WorkingClass]

You are saying exactly what I have been thinking about McCain. It wont be long before we have to take his car keys away.

[rollingdivision]

Murtha is too old to have a useful opinion.

[GerryS]

short, SWEET and to the point!!!!

[gonavy]

Agreed.

[meanguy]

congressman murtha, please call your office...they have located your mind under a credenza...

[AC500]

All dinosaurs need to retire or be retired. Its a new day and we need new blood.

[peggio]

Okay, slap me! Did McClincain just list his intellect as one of his qualifications to be potus?This coming from a man (old enough to be Baracks father,in KY. my home, even Hillary's) who's route to the Naval Academy went through Grandpa & Dad and still managed to finish at the bottom of his class. A man whose only claim to fame is having spent time in a Viet Cong prison....like so many of the guys I went to school with for whom I would not vote for class president. His intellect? Bomb, bomb Iran.....his INTELLECT.....protect this country and any others he might decide to bomb from his superior intellect. We are all very proud that he can stay up late and campaign....now if only he can master the difference between Sunni and Shiites, Iran, Iraq, Al Queda, etc.
INTELLECT!!! It makes me angry enough to drink a Crown Royal Boilermaker & go shoot me some of em ducks. C'mon, Shrillary, git yer gun!

[Relay]

Look who is calling the kettle black. This is a prime example of two old Farts who have stayed in office to long. "it's no old man's job" I say, Get the Hell out!!!!!!! Let some of the younger generation have a crack at it before you old farts destroy it all.